SKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — North Macedonia’s government was holding an emergency meeting Thursday over an overnight fire that ripped through a field hospital set up to treat COVID-19 patients, leaving 14 people dead.
The blaze broke out late Wednesday in the western city of Tetovo, where the hospital had been set up following a recent spike in infections in the region that left local hospitals full.
The main prosecutor’s office in the capital, Skopje, said 14 people had been killed in the blaze. There were no medical personnel among them.
Tetovo Mayor Teuta Arifi declared three days of mourning for the victims.
The prosecutor’s office ordered forensic experts to identify the remains, with the process expected to take longer than usual due to special protocols required because the victims were COVID-19 patients.
About a dozen people were injured, though the exact figure wasn’t immediately available.
“We saw the explosion and when we came here everything was in flames,” said local resident Nexhmedin Haliti. “ Firefighters arrived and started to put the fire out, it lasted for 15- 20 minutes. Everything burnt out.”
Firemen and police officers stand near a burned out makeshift hospital in North Macedonia’s northwestern town of Tetovo, early Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021. The blaze occurred late Wednesday at the makeshift hospital for COVID-19 patients in Tetovo. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski) 
Police officers guard the access to a burned out makeshift hospital in North Macedonia’s northwestern city of Tetovo, early Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021. The blaze occurred late Wednesday at the makeshift hospital for COVID-19 patients. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski) 
Police officers and forensics investigate the site at a burned out makeshift hospital after a fire in North Macedonia’s northwestern city of Tetovo, early Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021. The blaze occurred late Wednesday at the makeshift hospital for COVID-19 patients. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski) 
Police officers secure the area for forensics team to investigate the site of destroyed field hospital following a fire in North Macedonia’s northwestern city of Tetovo, early Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021. The government of North Macedonia will hold an emergency meeting Thursday over a fire overnight that ripped through a field hospital set up to treat COVID-19 patients, leaving numerous people dead. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu) 
A police officer walks past burned hospital equipment on the site of a destroyed field hospital following a fire in North Macedonia’s northwestern city of Tetovo, early Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021. The government of North Macedonia will hold an emergency meeting Thursday over a fire overnight that ripped through a field hospital set up to treat COVID-19 patients, leaving numerous people dead. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)
Five prosecutors, from Tetovo and Skopje, are working on the investigation into the causes of the fire. Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said in a Facebook post that the blaze followed an explosion at the site. It was unclear what caused the blast, but there was speculation that it was linked to oxygen supplies.
”We are shocked. It is a tragedy that I can’t even explain. Very sad,” said local resident Idriz Brahimi. “Those were sick people who couldn’t get out. It is a huge catastrophe.”
Health Ministry officials said the bodies of those who died were transferred to hospitals in the capital Skopje, about 45 kilometers (30 miles) to the east.
With less than 30% of the country’s roughly 2 million population fully vaccinated, North Macedonia has seen a significant spike in coronavirus infections and deaths since late August.
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Zenel Zhinipotoku contributed to this report from Tetovo, North Macedonia.
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