"The most heartbreaking thing I've ever experienced": Testimonies of Retirement Home residents; Resignations

Namely, the number of victims in the horrific fire has risen to 11, while 35 people sought medical assistance. Two individuals are reportedly in the intensive care unit.

Begtašagić stated that the scene was the most heartbreaking thing he has ever experienced.

“The fire was literally consuming the top floor of the Retirement Home in Tuzla. I’ve been a photojournalist for over 10 years, and this is the most heartbreaking thing I have ever experienced,” Begtašagić told Avaz.

Ruža Gajić, one of the residents of the Tuzla Retirement Home, recounted that she had gone to bed when she suddenly heard something breaking.

“I don’t know whether the rooms remained open or if they shattered. I’m on the third floor. I immediately called the reception, but I couldn’t reach anyone. Then I looked out the window and saw something falling. Someone appeared and asked if we were in danger, and I said I wasn’t,” Ruža recounted.

She added that there was no information about the victims initially, and that authorities first began evacuating people from the upper floors.

“I am worried for many, there are a large number of residents who don’t take precautions, don’t unplug cables from sockets—I don’t know what’s going on. On the highest floors, there are immobile people,” Ruža told Avaz.

The director of the Retirement Home has resigned

Ahmet Besic / AFP / Profimedia

An emergency meeting of the City Council was held this morning in Tuzla, convened by Mayor Zijad Lugavić.

According to the Avaz portal, the director of the Tuzla Retirement Home, Mirsad Bakalović, has submitted his resignation.

Since this morning, the Retirement Home has been secured by members of the Police Administration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tuzla Canton.

As previously reported, the remaining residents are located on secured floors of the building, in apartments that were not affected by the fire.

Police officers and firefighters injured

Tanjug/AP Photo

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tuzla Canton told Avaz that among the injured are members of the police as well as the fire-rescue unit.

“The number of injured who have so far sought medical assistance is higher. Of the hospitalized individuals, four residents of the Home are on mechanical ventilation, and among the hospitalized are five firefighters and three police officers,” she stated.

The fire claimed the lives of residents who were on the seventh floor, where the blaze affected a large part of the area.