According to health officials, the hospital fire in North Macedonia killed at least ten people and injured many more.

In the western city of Tetovo, a horrific fire broke out late Wednesday in a makeshift hospital for COVID-19 patients.

Injured medical personnel and patients were taken to hospitals in Skopje, the country's capital.

The Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Zoran Zaev, indicated that an explosion occurred before the fire but that the cause was still being researched.

"I express my deepest condolences to the families and relatives of the deceased and wish a speedy recovery to the injured," Zaev stated.

In recent weeks, the country has been battling a COVID-19 outbreak. Only around a third of the population has received all of their vaccinations.

According to the health ministry, the city of Tetovo had the highest number of hospitalizations and deaths during the recent virus outbreak.

According to health officials, only 19% of the city's citizens were vaccinated in July, putting a strain on hospitals in August.