At least 11 people died and 30 were injured after a fire broke out late Tuesday on the seventh floor of a high-rise retirement home in Tuzla, around 70 miles northeast of Sarajevo. About 20 people — including first responders, staff and residents — were hospitalized; several suffered carbon monoxide poisoning and three are in intensive care. The top floor was shown ablaze in online images, and authorities have opened an investigation. Regional leaders expressed condolences and pledged assistance to victims and families.
Deadly Blaze at Tuzla Retirement Home: 11 Killed, 30 Injured as Officials Launch Investigation
At least 11 people died and 30 were injured after a fire broke out late Tuesday on the seventh floor of a high-rise retirement home in Tuzla, around 70 miles northeast of Sarajevo. About 20 people — including first responders, staff and residents — were hospitalized; several suffered carbon monoxide poisoning and three are in intensive care. The top floor was shown ablaze in online images, and authorities have opened an investigation. Regional leaders expressed condolences and pledged assistance to victims and families.
19:22, 05.11.2025Society
At least 11 dead after fire rips through Tuzla care home
At least 11 people were killed and 30 injured when a fire broke out Tuesday evening in a high-rise retirement home in Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The blaze began at about 8:45 p.m. local time (2:45 p.m. EST) on the building's seventh floor in Tuzla, the country's fourth-largest city, roughly 70 miles (about 110 km) northeast of Sarajevo.
Police and emergency services said around 20 people — including firefighters, police officers, medical personnel, residents and facility staff — were taken to hospital. Several victims were treated for carbon monoxide poisoning and a spokesman for the Tuzla University Clinical Center reported that three patients remained in intensive care.
Photographs and videos circulating online showed the top floor of the residential tower engulfed in flames and heavy smoke pouring from the building. Fire crews worked through the night to extinguish the blaze and secure the scene.
Nermin Niksic, prime minister of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, called the incident “a disaster of enormous proportions.”
Officials from the Republika Srpska entity also offered assistance. In a post on X, Savo Minic, the prime minister of Republika Srpska, wrote: “The Government of the Republic of Srpska stands ready to assist the citizens of Tuzla with any kind of help following tonight's tragedy. We feel the pain and are always ready to help. Our most sincere condolences to the families.”
Local authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire. Further updates on casualties and the inquiry are expected as emergency services complete rescue and recovery operations.