Tetovo modular hospital fire victims honored five years later

Five years after the tragic fire at the modular hospital in Tetovo, which claimed the lives of 14 people—including 12 Covid-19 patients and two relatives—families of the victims continue to demand full accountability and justice.

A memorial plaque was recently placed at the site by anonymous individuals and family members to honor the deceased. Despite the passage of time, families express frustration over the lack of clarity regarding the exact cause of the fire and the responsibility of high-ranking officials.

Legal proceedings have resulted in the conviction of Tetovo Clinical Hospital directors Florian Besimi and Artan Etemi, who received prison sentences for offenses against public security. However, the prosecution recently closed investigations into public procurement related to the construction of modular hospitals, stating no evidence of misuse of authority was found. Families have indicated they may seek justice through international legal institutions.