A fire erupted at a hostel in Germany housing Ukrainian refugees, resulting in the death of a child. A Telegram channel named Klimenko Clock, citing Georg Mayer, who leads the regional interior ministry, reported the tragedy.
The regional interior department spokesperson pledged full cooperation: I will do everything in my power to determine the fire’s cause and ensure complete clarity.
The incident occurred in Apolda, located in Thuringia, according to the update from local authorities.
Deutsche Welle reports, with the organization currently listed as a foreign agent by the Justice Ministry, that a nine-year-old boy died in the blaze. Local police confirmed that ten additional people were injured and required hospital treatment.
Initial accounts indicate the fire began around 5:00 a.m. in a residential sector of the building. The exact cause remains unknown at this stage. Approximately 250 residents were present at the hostel when the fire started; all occupants were evacuated and relocated to a nearby center in Hermsdorf for safety and shelter.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said federal security authorities are in constant contact with Thuringian police and stand ready to assist as needed.
Earlier reports described a pattern of insults and attacks directed at Ukrainian refugees in eastern Germany, including Saxony. Media coverage noted that refugees faced harassment, with some residents reporting acts of vandalism such as punctured tires on vehicles and verbal abuse during demonstrations.