As a result of a fire in a hostel in the center of Riga, at least eight people died, reports the portal Delfi.lv on Wednesday, April 28.
The fire broke out in a six-story building on Merkel Street, the corridor and living quarters, as well as the roof, were on fire. The area of the fire was about 140 square meters, more than 50 rescuers are working at the scene.
It is noted that the fire broke out in the premises of the hostel, where most of the guests are foreign citizens.
The work of the firemen was complicated by the iron doors with a combination lock, which are installed in the building, said Janis Grinbergs, head of the operational department of the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD).
The bodies of eight people were found at the site of the fire, another nine people were injured, a total of 20 people were evacuated. Six people were hospitalized in a state of moderate severity.
Due to the work of rescuers, sections of Merkel Street were blocked, public transport routes were changed.
Earlier Wednesday, it was reported that a fire in a private hospital in the Indian state of Maharashtra killed at least four patients and injured several others.