Skopje, 9 September 2021 (MIA) – This is a sad day for our country and a terrible tragedy that shook us all. I express my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims in this event, Health Minister Venko Filipche told a press conference Thursday afternoon on the fire that took over the modular Covid hospital in Tetovo on Wednesday night, in which 14 people were killed. “I was deeply shaken by what happened in Tetovo. The entire capacities of the Ministry, as well as all other institutions have been fully mobilized to determine the causes of this tragedy as soon as possible. The investigation is still ongoing, and so I ask that we have the patience and wait for all the official findings,” said Filipche. He noted a decision was made at Thursday’s Government session that foreign experts join the investigation to help the country’s expert teams. “We’re doing this in order to conduct an independent and thorough investigation. As a minister, and above all as a human being, I demand that all findings be properly presented to the public. No one will be exempted from responsibility if the investigation indicates so,” Filipche stressed. According to him, 26 patients were treated in the Covid center in Tetovo during the terrible event. Medical staff included doctors and nurses – two doctors and four nurses. “Twelve patients were evacuated safely from the Covid center and transferred to the hospital in Tetovo where they are currently treated. They are stable and have not suffered consequences from the fire. No healthcare workers were injured or killed. The bodies of 14 patients have been taken to the Institute of Forensic Medicine, autopsy has been carried out on some of them, and it continues throughout the day. Fatalities were aged between 29 and 79. In addition to classic autopsy findings, DNA tests will be performed, on which family members have been informed,” the Health Minister said. He pointed out that the entire documentation for the procurement and installation of the modular hospitals, including the one in Tetovo, shows that while implementing such projects, which are supported by the World Bank, strict standards and procedures have been observed. “The investigation should also determine whether and how, after handing over the facility for use in the Tetovo hospital, it was maintained and managed,” said Filipche, adding that the Ministry will actively cooperate with the competent authorities in the investigation and urged all other institutions to do the same, in order to determine exactly what happened. “I urge the citizens and the media not to create panic and distrust towards the Covid centers themselves, which have meant and still mean a lot for hospital treatment and saving lives in this Covid crisis. Such facilities are used in many places in the world. Fires and accidents happen, and these tragedies can be caused by many factors,” Filipche said, once again urging everyone to wait for the results of the investigation. In addition, he commented on calls for his resignation. “Allow me to say that I don’t duck responsibility, and I never will. But I will insist and wait for the investigation to be completed because this period also requires managing the crisis, particularly in terms of the patients in Tetovo, and everything that requires a process of completing autopsy findings. And, absolutely, after the investigation is completed, I will make the decision on whether to resign. It’s really difficult to find the words to describe the weight and pain I feel. I sincerely sympathize with the family members of all the victims, but I will wait for the official findings of the investigation,” Filipche said.