Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew thanked authorities and volunteers for helping to put out a fire at the Balikli Greek Hospital in Istanbul on Thursday, expressing relief there were no victims.
The fire, according to reports from Cyprus News Agency and CNN Türk, broke out around 14:20 and destroyed the roof of the historic building. Patients hospitalized there or at its nursing home wing were evacuated. Reports noted that the fire may have started from the electric wiring, while the regional director said the Turkish state would restore the hospital.
“Our Greek community received a great blow today,” the Ecumenical Patriarch said, “one of its greatest philanthropic institutions that treated with loving care our older brothers and sisters was heavily damaged by a catastrophic fire. We thank the Lord we did not mourn any victims, and we thank state and local government authorities, as well as firefighters, nursing home and the nearby hospital staff, and all volunteers, for helping save the residents and for fighting to put the fire out. Human lives are important; buildings, facilities, material things can be restored.”
SOURCE; ANA-MPA
