BELGRADE, Serbia — A tragic fire claiming the lives of eight individuals occurred at an elderly care facility near the Serbian capital on Monday, as reported by local authorities.

The blaze, which broke out around 3:30 a.m. in the Barajevo municipality, situated on the southern fringe of Belgrade, left seven others injured, with details emerging primarily through state-run RTS television.

Serbian Social Care Minister Nemanja Starovic remarked on the swift response of emergency services but expressed deep regret over the loss of life, indicating that the flames had already spread significantly before help arrived.

At the time of the incident, approximately 30 individuals were present at the facility, according to police reports. The fire reportedly affected more than a third of the building, which is located in a rural setting.

Authorities have suggested that the fire may have been deliberately set, with initial investigations pointing towards the possibility that one of the deceased residents may have ignited the blaze.

Injured individuals were promptly taken to two different hospitals in Belgrade, with at least one reported in critical condition by medical personnel.

“This is an immense tragedy, but we must acknowledge that it could have been far worse,” stated emergency official Luka Causic, emphasizing the severity of the situation.