Ljubljana - Expressions of condolences are coming from Slovenia to North Macedonia following a fire in a Covid-19 hospital in Tetovo on Wednesday evening, in which at least 14 people died.

On Twitter, the Slovenian Foreign Ministry expressed condolences to the people of Tetovo, in particular to those who lost their dearest ones in "this tragic event".

President Borut Pahor meanwhile called his Macedonian counterpart Stevo Pendarovski on the phone to express his condolences, the president's office said on Thursday.

Pahor said that Macedonians could count on aid from Slovenia "so that it would be easier for them to cope with this tragic event that affected patients in the hospital, healthcare staff, their families and many others".

Defence Minister Matej Tonin said on Twitter he was "shaken by the tragic event in Tetovo", adding that "our thoughts and prayers go to the Macedonian people and our friends in North Macedonia".

The fire at a temporary Covid-19 hospital in the north-west of the country killed at least 14 people, according to the North Macedonian authorities, and more have been injured, so the death toll might not be final.

The fire broke out following an explosion, with the authorities still investigating the event.