Chaos in Štip after devastating storm: Hospital damaged, patients evacuated

A brief but highly destructive storm caused absolute chaos across the streets of Štip this afternoon, leaving significant material damage in its wake. The city's Clinical Hospital suffered the heaviest blow, as hurricane-force winds managed to tear off and damage a large section of the roof structure. This unexpected disaster immediately led to water leaking inside the facility, forcing the medical staff to react urgently and in a coordinated manner to prevent a larger tragedy.

To guarantee the maximum safety of the sick, their relocation to rooms that remained completely dry and untouched by the severe weather began immediately. According to initial information shared with the public, this involves a group of about fifteen to twenty individuals who were previously hospitalized in the orthopedics department. During the upcoming night, their complete and safe transfer to other hospital wings is planned, with the sole purpose of ensuring the healthcare system continues to function without any interruption.

One of the main operating rooms in the orthopedics department also sustained damage, further complicating the situation. However, the management of the healthcare institution categorically assures that planned surgical interventions and emergency medical services will not be postponed, as the remaining functional rooms in the complex have been made available immediately.

Mayor Ivan Jordanov convened an urgent press conference this afternoon to inform the anxious public in detail about the newly arisen situation. He clearly pointed out that all available teams from public utility enterprises, in close cooperation with the local Crisis Staff, are already on the ground and working intensively to clear the debris and repair the damage. In addition to public facilities, serious destruction has been reported to numerous private houses, as well as key infrastructure throughout the city, the exact financial extent of which is yet to be assessed by expert commissions.

Meanwhile, the catastrophic consequences of the severe weather are also strongly felt in the capital. Skopje's clinics are recording a continuously increasing influx of injured patients, with at least fifteen citizens having already sought emergency medical help. Their injuries are a direct result of fallen trees, torn sheet metal, and flying roof tiles that posed a massive danger to passersby.