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Serbian Police Arrest Four in Connection with Nursing Home Fire

Serbian police have detained four individuals in connection with a fire last month in which eight people were killed and seven injured in Barajevo, a municipality near Belgrade. The incident was attributed to negligence, similar to the collapse of an awning in Novi Sad in November that claimed the lives of 15 individuals.

The suspects, identified only by their initials and described as officials of the Ministry for Labour and Social Affairs and the Department for Inspection Supervision, are under investigation for abuse of office and negligence. The Interior Ministry conveyed that they are suspected of allowing the operation of the nursing home in Barajevo without meeting required conditions or obtaining fire safety approval from the relevant ministry.

Initially thought to have been started by a resident (who perished in the fire), the cause of the Barajevo nursing home fire was later disputed. The Novi Sad tragedy sparked protests across Serbia led by students and opponents critical of President Aleksandar Vucic and his ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).