Negligence Leads to Arrests in Serbian Nursing Home Fire

Four officials have been arrested in Serbia following a fatal fire at a nursing home in Barajevo. The incident resulted in eight deaths and spurred accusations of negligence. Additionally, this situation coincides with another deadly event blamed on negligence, influencing national protests against the government.

Four individuals have been taken into custody by Serbian authorities in connection with a fire that claimed eight lives at a Barajevo nursing home last month. Government sources revealed on Thursday that negligence is being cited as the cause, echoing similar accusations in a previous deadly incident.

The arrested individuals, all officials from the Ministry for Labour and Social Affairs and the Department for Inspection Supervision, are suspected of abuse of office. They allegedly allowed the nursing home to operate without meeting necessary safety conditions or having the required ministry approval.

Previously, it was suggested that a resident might have caused the nursing home fire. The tragedies in Barajevo and Novi Sad, where an awning collapse resulted in 15 fatalities, have fueled nationwide protests against President Aleksandar Vucic's government.

(With inputs from agencies.)