The blaze is believed to have started around 1:30 a.m. in the room of two female residents who were among the fatalities. The remaining deceased individuals consisted of three women and one man.

Firefighters reported that two of the injured were in critical condition, while the majority were receiving treatment for smoke inhalation. Italy's national firefighters corps spokesperson, Luca Cari, stated that an investigation into the cause of the fire was underway and that it had been contained by the early morning hours.

Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala visited the site and informed the press that the uninjured residents, totaling around 100 individuals, were being relocated to other facilities in the northern Italian city.

Witnesses from the vicinity reported seeing occupants at the windows using cloths to protect themselves from the smoke. Local media sources mentioned that many of the nursing home's residents suffered from Alzheimer's disease.

The fire is the latest in a series of deadly nursing home fires in Italy. In 2021, a fire at a nursing home in the southern city of Naples killed 48 people.

The cause of the fire in Milan is still under investigation. However, Italian officials have said that they are concerned about the safety of nursing homes in the country. They have called for stricter fire safety regulations and more training for staff. (ILKHA)