2018 Baku fire

{{Old news|date=March 2024}}{{Infobox news event

|image = {{Location map|Azerbaijan

|width = 250

|label = Republican Narcological Dispensary

|mark = Green pog.svg

|lat_deg = 40.20529

|lon_deg = 49.57226

}}

| coordinates ={{coord|40.20529|N|49.57226|E|region:XXXX_type:event|display=inline,title}}

| caption =

| title = 2018 Baku fire

| time =

| location = Republican Narcological Dispensary, Khatai Raion, Baku, Azerbaijan

| date = 2 March 2018

| operator =

| type = fire

| deaths = 26

| injuries = 4 hospitalized

| missing =

| cause = Arson

}}

On 2 March 2018, a fire broke out at the Republican Narcological Dispensary in Baku, Azerbaijan, a drug rehabilitation facility for patients with opiate addiction.

Around 200 people including patients and members of the clinic staff had to be evacuated from the area, while 34 had to be rescued from the blazing building.{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/azerbaijan-clinic-fire-1.4558780|title=Drug rehab centre in Azerbaijan catches fire, killing at least 25 {{!}} CBC News|work=CBC|access-date=2018-03-07|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306160656/http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/azerbaijan-clinic-fire-1.4558780|archive-date=2018-03-06|url-status=live}} At least 26 people died,{{cite web|last1=Baynes|first1=Chris|title=Azerbaijan fire: Blaze kills 26 people at drug abuse treatment centre in Baku|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/azerbaijan-fire-blaze-kills-26-people-drug-abuse-treatment-centre-die-baku-a8235881.html|website=The Independent|date=2 March 2018 |accessdate=5 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180305032105/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/azerbaijan-fire-blaze-kills-26-people-drug-abuse-treatment-centre-die-baku-a8235881.html|archive-date=5 March 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} and another four were hospitalized.{{cite news | url= https://www.afp.com/en/news/23/25-dead-azerbaijan-drug-rehab-centre-fire-doc-11n3091 | publisher= AFP | title= 25 dead in Azerbaijan drug rehab center fire | date= 2 March 2018 | access-date= 2 March 2018 | url-status= live | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20180304023927/https://www.afp.com/en/news/23/25-dead-azerbaijan-drug-rehab-centre-fire-doc-11n3091 | archivedate= 4 March 2018 }} Although the fire was initially blamed on faulty wiring, it later emerged that the fire had actually started when a patient tried to commit suicide by self-immolation. The individual had second thoughts and tossed his burning blanket into the wooden ward, igniting the early morning inferno.

Two days after the incident the authorities arrested former patient Mahammad Mammadov and charged him with murder and arson, among other crimes. Civil rights activists blamed government corruption for lax fire safety measures in the facility that may have led to the accident. In the aftermath, President Ilham Aliyev created a commission to investigate the underlying causes of the accident and announced plans to build a fully equipped rehabilitation centre nearby.

Background

= Drug crisis =

Azerbaijan's proximity to both Afghanistan and Iran and its location on the drug route known as the "Balkan Route"{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0jnyNWFuhXYC&q=azerbaijan+law+drug+addiction&pg=PA128|title=International Narcotics Control Strategy Report: Volume I: Drug and Chemical Control|last=Brownfield|first=William R.|date=2011|publisher=DIANE Publishing|isbn=9781437982725|language=en|access-date=2018-03-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308231627/https://books.google.com/books?id=0jnyNWFuhXYC&pg=PA128&lpg=PA128&dq=azerbaijan+law+drug+addiction&source=bl&ots=iuj5Eld2Iv&sig=rIDYJBY9qAugoyjvkMAsv7uGm34&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiM4vrvntzZAhVEi1kKHXhRCMoQ6AEIYzAI#v=onepage&q=azerbaijan%20law%20drug%20addiction&f=false|archive-date=2018-03-08|url-status=live}} make it an easy drug corridor, and due to lax border control most of the illegal drugs (around 90%) are able to get through. It has been estimated that around 1,000 tonnes of drugs are smuggled through the country each year.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lVaBddAvM8sC&q=azerbaijan&pg=PA93|title=Report of the International Narcotics Control Board for 2007|last=Nations|first=United|date=2008|publisher=United Nations Publications|isbn=9789211482249|language=en|access-date=2018-03-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308041530/https://books.google.com/books?id=lVaBddAvM8sC&pg=PA93&dq=azerbaijan+drug+addiction&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj_qZ_rqNrZAhUHVK0KHUWFDoYQ6AEIaDAM#v=onepage&q=azerbaijan&f=false|archive-date=2018-03-08|url-status=live}} According to estimates registered drug addicts in the country numbered 7,000 in 1996, however by 2006 this number had risen to 20,000, while some estimates put it at around 30,000.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dkj-Yue46hIC&q=azerbaijan+drug+addiction&pg=PA79|title=Encyclopedia of Drug Policy|last1=Kleiman|first1=Mark A. R.|last2=Hawdon|first2=James E.|date=2011-01-12|publisher=SAGE Publications|isbn=9781412976954|language=en|access-date=2018-03-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308041556/https://books.google.com/books?id=dkj-Yue46hIC&pg=PA79&dq=azerbaijan+drug+addiction&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj_qZ_rqNrZAhUHVK0KHUWFDoYQ6AEIKTAA#v=onepage&q=azerbaijan%20drug%20addiction&f=false|archive-date=2018-03-08|url-status=live}} There is a severe shortage of personnel when it comes to treating drug addiction. According to the head of the working group for the Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking State Commission Araz Aliguliyev, "there are too few psychologists, social workers and almost no NGOs" working in the field of addiction rehabilitation.{{Cite news|url=https://en.trend.az/news_print.php?news_id=1583055|title='We should declare war on drug addiction:' Azerbaijani MP|last=Zarbaliyeva|first=K|date=18 November 2009|work=Trend|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308231358/https://en.trend.az/news_print.php?news_id=1583055|archive-date=8 March 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}

= Dilapidated state of rehabilitation centre =

Azerbaijan spends around $2.00 on a single treatment, as opposed to the Western nations where the mean expenditure is around $100.00. There is a distinct lack of drug rehabilitation centres in the country with only 53 state-funded clinics and dispensaries in the entire country.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B-UpAQAAMAAJ&q=azerbaijan+drug+rehab|title=Drugs and the world|last=Klein|first=Axel|date=2008-11-15|publisher=Reaktion|isbn=9781861893819|language=en|access-date=2018-03-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308041419/https://books.google.com/books?id=B-UpAQAAMAAJ&q=azerbaijan+drug+rehab&dq=azerbaijan+drug+rehab&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjznLKNuNrZAhXCLmMKHSY2D-gQ6AEIVjAK|archive-date=2018-03-08|url-status=live}} These centres are usually established in Soviet-era barracks like buildings that are derelict to begin with. The Republican Narcological Center was built as a dispensary in 1986, and was further enlarged in 2011 to cater for 250 patients.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rnm.az/|title=Respublika Narkoloji Mərkəzi|website=www.rnm.az|language=ru|access-date=2018-03-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306053734/http://www.rnm.az/|archive-date=2018-03-06|url-status=live}}

According to reports, the dispensary was housed in an old, one-story, wooden building dating from the 1900s. Buildings with materials such as these are fire hazards and Azerbaijan has a history of large-scale fires in residential buildings.{{Cite news|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/fire-kills-at-least-26-people-in-drug-treatment-centre-in-capital-of-azerbaijan|title=24 dead in Azerbaijan drug rehab centre fire: Official|last=hermesauto|date=2018-03-02|work=The Straits Times|access-date=2018-03-07|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306221333/http://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/fire-kills-at-least-26-people-in-drug-treatment-centre-in-capital-of-azerbaijan|archive-date=2018-03-06|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/azerbaijan-fire-baku-decrepit-drug-rehab-center-deaths-update/29072372.html|title=Baku Fire Kills 25 At 'Decrepit' Drug-Addiction Clinic|newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=2 March 2018 |language=en|access-date=2018-03-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306221517/https://www.rferl.org/a/azerbaijan-fire-baku-decrepit-drug-rehab-center-deaths-update/29072372.html|archive-date=2018-03-06|url-status=live}} According to sources, the victims relatives have stated that the facility was "decrepit", paint was peeling from the walls, that had been constructed with plywood, and the equipment used by the facility was outdated as well, having been bought in 1991 before the Soviet Union collapsed.{{Cite news|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/azerbaijan-fire-baku-decrepit-drug-rehab-center-deaths-update/29072372.html|title=Baku Fire Kills 25 At 'Decrepit' Drug-Addiction Clinic|newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=2 March 2018 |language=en|access-date=2018-03-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307224827/https://www.rferl.org/a/azerbaijan-fire-baku-decrepit-drug-rehab-center-deaths-update/29072372.html|archive-date=2018-03-07|url-status=live}} A former head physician at the Respublika Narkoloji Mərkəzi, Araz Aliguliyev, stated that during his tenure (which ended in 2006) the building in question had been used only for housing archives and for "some accounting purposes". He said that patients were never housed in the building as it was an old and decrepit building dating from the 1990s. He said, "I don't know why they were using it to treat patients".{{cn|date=April 2018}}

Fire

File:2018-03-02 İlham Əliyev yanğın baş verən Respublika Narkoloji Mərkəzinə gələrək vəziyyətlə tanış olub - 006.jpg

The government reported that the fire broke out at around 06:10 local time.{{cite news | url= https://www.timesofisrael.com/24-dead-in-azerbaijan-drug-rehab-center-fire/ | title= 24 dead in Azerbaijan drug rehab center fire | publisher= Times of Israel | date= 2 March 2018 | access-date= 2 March 2018 | url-status= live | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20180302194848/https://www.timesofisrael.com/24-dead-in-azerbaijan-drug-rehab-center-fire/ | archivedate= 2 March 2018 }} A security guard stationed outside the facility was able to open the doors when he smelled smoke and started the evacuation. However the fire soon engulfed the building. Ten ambulances and 10 squads of firefighters with 43 fire engines were dispatched to the site. It took the 160 personnel of the State Fire Protection Service around three hours to successfully extinguish the blaze.{{Cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/25-dead-in-azerbaijan-drug-rehab-centre-fire/ar-BBJMj1b|title=25 dead in Azerbaijan drug rehab centre fire|website=www.msn.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-03-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308041709/https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/25-dead-in-azerbaijan-drug-rehab-centre-fire/ar-BBJMj1b|archive-date=2018-03-08|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|url=https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/society/2867823.html|title=Azerbaijani Health Ministry talks fire outbreak in Drug Abuse Treatment Center|date=2018-03-02|work=Trend.Az|access-date=2018-03-11|language=en-EN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311141436/https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/society/2867823.html|archive-date=2018-03-11|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://en.apa.az/azerbaijani-news/accidents-incidents-news/43-fire-engines-involved-in-extinguishing-fire-in-azerbaijani-drug-abuse-treatment-center.html|title=43 fire engines involved in extinguishing fire in Azerbaijani drug abuse treatment center|author=((Holding APA Information Agency, APA))|access-date=2018-03-11|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311141233/http://en.apa.az/azerbaijani-news/accidents-incidents-news/43-fire-engines-involved-in-extinguishing-fire-in-azerbaijani-drug-abuse-treatment-center.html|archive-date=2018-03-11|url-status=dead}}

It was originally believed to be caused by an electrical fault in the one-story, wooden ward, but the government later stated that arson was the cause. There was no automatic fire suppression system in the building.{{Cite web|url=https://mir24.tv/news/16294237/tragediya-v-baku-mozhno-li-bylo-izbezhat-smertei|title=Трагедия в Баку: можно ли было избежать смертей|date=3 March 2018|website=mir24.tv|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180304172814/https://mir24.tv/news/16294237/tragediya-v-baku-mozhno-li-bylo-izbezhat-smertei|archive-date=4 March 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} The building's wooden frame acted as the principal fuel source for the fire, and firefighters described the building burning intensely for over three hours due to strong winds.{{cite news | url= https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-43254130 | title= 24 killed at drug rehab center fire | publisher= BBC | date= 2 March 2018 | access-date= 2 March 2018 | url-status= live | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20180302074314/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-43254130 | archivedate= 2 March 2018 }} According to relatives of the patients, it was routine for the patients to be locked inside during the night. Some reports claim that the victims who were burnt alive may have been tied to their beds as a routine procedure and therefore they may have been unable to escape when the fire spread through the building.{{Cite web|url=https://tech2.org/chile/fire-at-drug-rehabilitation-center-in-azerbaijan-leaves-24-dead/|title=Fire at drug rehabilitation center in Azerbaijan leaves 24 dead – TECH2|website=tech2.org|language=en-US|access-date=2018-03-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308165248/https://tech2.org/chile/fire-at-drug-rehabilitation-center-in-azerbaijan-leaves-24-dead/|archive-date=2018-03-08|url-status=live}} The building's windows had been barred with steel frames that could only be opened from the outside to prevent addicts from running away, and at least 55 of them were bedridden when the fire broke out. However, despite the barred windows, responding firefighters were able to rescue dozens of people from the fast-spreading fire. It was reported that by 8.20 am local time firefighters had brought the fire under control{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/azerbaijan-fire-blaze-kills-26-people-drug-abuse-treatment-centre-die-baku-a8235881.html|title=Deadly fire kills at least 26 people at Azerbaijan drug rehab centre|date=2018-03-02|work=The Independent|access-date=2018-03-08|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180305142616/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/azerbaijan-fire-blaze-kills-26-people-drug-abuse-treatment-centre-die-baku-a8235881.html|archive-date=2018-03-05|url-status=live}} and it had been completely extinguished by 9:13.{{Cite news|url=https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/society/2867801.html|title=Fire outbreak in Azerbaijani drug abuse treatment center kills over 20 people (UPDATE)|date=2018-03-02|work=Trend.Az|access-date=2018-03-08|language=en-EN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308103346/https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/society/2867801.html|archive-date=2018-03-08|url-status=live}}

Aftermath

= Hospitalization of survivors =

According to the Ministry of Healthcare, around 200 patients and staff were safely evacuated from the hospital, with 34 needing rescue.{{cite news| publisher= Associated Press | title= Azerbaijan: 25 die in morning fire at drug rehab center | last= Sultanova | first= Aida | date= 2 March 2018 }} Twenty-five dead bodies were found in the ruins after firefighters extinguished the blaze.{{Cite web|url=http://qafqazinfo.az/news/detail/helak-olanlarin-sayi-25-e-catdi-212517|title=Həlak olanların sayı 25-ə çatdı|date=2 March 2018|website=Qafqazinfo.az|accessdate=2 March 2018|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180304023927/http://qafqazinfo.az/news/detail/helak-olanlarin-sayi-25-e-catdi-212517|archivedate=4 March 2018}} Four of the injured had to be hospitalized. Three were admitted to the Toxicology Department of the Clinical Medical Center No 1 and one was moved to the City Clinical Hospital No 3.{{Cite web|url=http://kanal24.az/?l=en&m=xeber&id=75654|title=Ilham Aliyev arrives at scene of fire in Baku|website=kanal24.az|language=en|access-date=2018-03-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308231510/http://kanal24.az/?l=en&m=xeber&id=75654|archive-date=2018-03-08|url-status=live}} The bodies of the deceased were moved to the mortuary, but it was reported that the charred remains were not yet recognizable.{{Cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/least-24-drug-addicts-burned-12113257|title=At least 24 drug addicts burn alive at a rehab centre|last=Stewart|first=Will|date=2018-03-02|work=mirror|access-date=2018-03-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308231728/https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/least-24-drug-addicts-burned-12113257|archive-date=2018-03-08|url-status=live}}

= Police investigation =

File:2018-03-02 İlham Əliyev yanğın baş verən Respublika Narkoloji Mərkəzinə gələrək vəziyyətlə tanış olub - 001.jpg Ilham Aliyev while inspecting the ruins of the building.]]

President Ilham Aliyev visited the scene and an official investigation was ordered.{{Cite web|url=http://www.president.az/articles/27229|title=İlham Əliyev yanğın baş verən Respublika Narkoloji Mərkəzinə gələrək vəziyyətlə tanış olub.|date=2 March 2018|website=President.az|accessdate=2 March 2018|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180304023928/http://www.president.az/articles/27229|archivedate=4 March 2018}} A hotline was established to the offices of the Prosecutor General, Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Emergency Affairs so that relatives of the patients and staff, as well as witnesses, could contact the authorities.{{Cite news|url=https://www.azernews.az/nation/128203.html|title=Azerbaijan establishes hotline over fire at Drug Rehab Center|date=2018-03-03|work=AzerNews.az|access-date=2018-03-07|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307044123/https://www.azernews.az/nation/128203.html|archive-date=2018-03-07|url-status=live}}

= Arrest and legal proceedings =

On March 3, a former patient named Mahammad Mammadov was arrested and charged with premeditated murder, multiple murders, and damaging property.{{cite news | url= https://www.rferl.org/a/baku-fire-suicide-attempt/29082648.html | title= Deadly Fire At Baku Rehab Center 'Caused By Suicide Attempt' | publisher= Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty | date= 6 March 2018 | access-date= 6 March 2018 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180306144451/https://www.rferl.org/a/baku-fire-suicide-attempt/29082648.html | archive-date= 6 March 2018 | url-status= live | df= dmy-all }}

It was reported that Mammadov was being treated at the centre but wished to leave. In a suicide attempt he set fire to his blanket, but changed his mind when the flames started to engulf him. He then threw off the blanket, and left the building when the fire started to spread and the wooden infrastructure of the ward caught fire.{{Cite news|url=http://en.apa.az/azerbaijani-news/accidents-incidents-news/suspect-arrested-after-fire-at-drug-rehab-center-in-baku.html|title=Fire at Baku drug rehab center was arson, one arrested|author=((Holding APA Information Agency, APA))|access-date=2018-03-07|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307151125/http://en.apa.az/azerbaijani-news/accidents-incidents-news/suspect-arrested-after-fire-at-drug-rehab-center-in-baku.html|archive-date=2018-03-07|url-status=dead}} The arrest of Mammadov contradicted earlier reports of the fire being caused by a short circuit.{{Cite news|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/baku-fire-suicide-attempt/29082648.html|title=Deadly Fire At Baku Rehab Center 'Caused By Suicide Attempt'|newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=6 March 2018 |language=en|access-date=2018-03-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306213940/https://www.rferl.org/a/baku-fire-suicide-attempt/29082648.html|archive-date=2018-03-06|url-status=live}} After the arrest Mammadov was subject to psychological and psychiatric evaluations.

= State commission =

President Ilham Aliyev created a state commission chaired by Abid Sharifov, the deputy president. It was tasked with investigating the fire,{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/03/azerbaijan-baku-rehab-centre-hit-deadly-fire-180302064448862.html|title=Azerbaijan: Baku rehab centre hit by deadly fire|website=www.aljazeera.com|access-date=2018-03-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307004353/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/03/azerbaijan-baku-rehab-centre-hit-deadly-fire-180302064448862.html|archive-date=2018-03-07|url-status=live}} providing assistance to the families of the victims, resettling the staff and patients of the centre and making sure that the destroyed building is reconstructed quickly. The commission will also include the Prosecutor General as well as the ministers of health, economics, internal affairs, crisis, and social welfare of population.{{Cite news|url=https://www.azernews.az/nation/128172.html|title=Azerbaijan creates State Commission in connection with Drug Rehab Center fire|date=2018-03-02|work=AzerNews.az|access-date=2018-03-07|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307115216/https://www.azernews.az/nation/128172.html|archive-date=2018-03-07|url-status=live}}

= Plans for a new building =

On March 2, the Health Ministry stated that plans had been put in place to build a new Drug Abuse Treatment Center in Sabunchu district of Baku. The new Rehabilitation Centre will consist of four buildings and will house 300 patients. It will also be supplied with the latest equipment.{{Cite news|url=http://menafn.com/1096539008/New-Drug-Abuse-Treatment-Center-to-be-built-in-Baku|title=New Drug Abuse Treatment Center to be built in Baku|last=MENAFN|access-date=2018-03-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308231658/http://menafn.com/1096539008/New-Drug-Abuse-Treatment-Center-to-be-built-in-Baku|archive-date=2018-03-08|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/society/2867829.html|title=New Drug Abuse Treatment Center to be built in Baku|date=2018-03-02|work=Trend.Az|access-date=2018-03-08|language=en-EN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308231330/https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/society/2867829.html|archive-date=2018-03-08|url-status=live}}

= Allegations of corruption =

Rights groups in Azerbaijan have long accused the authoritarian regime of President Aliyev of prevalent corruption that, according to them, undermines the functioning of state institutions. So local civil activists blamed public corruption and lack of compliance with fire safety regulations as major contributors to the blaze. The head of the civil advocacy group Property Rights said "Fire safety regulations were not respected in the hospital’s Soviet-era wooden building". She further stated “As a result of systemic corruption, an adequate control over the compliance with fire safety norms is not in place in Azerbaijan.” The General Prosecutor's's Office responded by opening an investigation into possible violations of fire safety codes.{{cite news|title=Baku Fire Kills 25 At 'Decrepit' Drug-Addiction Clinic|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/azerbaijan-fire-baku-decrepit-drug-rehab-center-deaths-update/29072372.html|accessdate=5 March 2018|work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180304194237/https://www.rferl.org/a/azerbaijan-fire-baku-decrepit-drug-rehab-center-deaths-update/29072372.html|archive-date=4 March 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}

Reactions

{{Flagicon|China}} China — Xi Jinping, the president of China, sent a letter of condolence to Ilham Aliyev. He wrote, "Dear Mr. President, I was deeply saddened by the terrible news of numerous casualties in fire in the Drug Rehabilitation Center in Baku".{{Cite news|url=https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/2869516.html|title=Chinese, Turkmen presidents express condolences to President Ilham Aliyev|date=2018-03-06|work=Trend.Az|access-date=2018-03-07|language=en-EN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306153423/https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/2869516.html|archive-date=2018-03-06|url-status=live}}

{{Flagicon|Russia}} Russia — Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered his condolences to President Ilham Aliyev, while the head of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, Vladimir Puchkov expressed his condolences to his counterpart in Azerbaijan, Kyamaledin Heydarov stating "We mourn together with you".{{Cite web|url=http://vestnikkavkaza.net/news/Vladimir-Puchkov-expresses-condolences-to-head-of-Azerbaijani-Ministry-of-Emergency-Situations.html|title=Vladimir Puchkov expresses condolences to head of Azerbaijani Ministry of Emergency Situations {{!}} Vestnik Kavkaza|website=vestnikkavkaza.net|language=en-EN|access-date=2018-03-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308165223/http://vestnikkavkaza.net/news/Vladimir-Puchkov-expresses-condolences-to-head-of-Azerbaijani-Ministry-of-Emergency-Situations.html|archive-date=2018-03-08|url-status=live}}

{{Flagicon|Turkmenistan}} Turkmenistan — Gurbangulu Berdimuhamedov, the president of Turkmenistan, expressed his condolences, saying "At this difficult time, I ask you to convey to all the relatives and friends of the victims that I, on behalf of the people and government of Turkmenistan and my own behalf, share their sorrow and wish patience and immediate recovery."

{{Flagicon|Uzbekistan}} Uzbekistan — Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the president of Uzbekistan, sent a letter of condolence, saying that he was deeply saddened by the news.{{Cite news|url=https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/2868362.html|title=Uzbek president offers condolences to Azerbaijani counterpart|date=2018-03-03|work=Trend.Az|access-date=2018-03-07|language=en-EN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308041415/https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/2868362.html|archive-date=2018-03-08|url-status=live}}

{{Flagicon|Turkey}} Turkey — President Erdogan expressed deep sorrow over the incident and offered his condolences to the victims and their families.{{Cite web|url=https://aa.com.tr/en/turkey/erdogan-extends-condolences-over-fire-in-azeri-capital/1081610|title=Erdogan extends condolences over fire in Azeri capital|website=Anadolu Agency|access-date=2018-03-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306213152/https://aa.com.tr/en/turkey/erdogan-extends-condolences-over-fire-in-azeri-capital/1081610|archive-date=2018-03-06|url-status=live}}

Thorbjorn Jagland, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alexander Lukashenko President of Belarus, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Prime Minister of Georgia Georgi Kvirikashvili and Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev also expressed their condolences for the victims and their families.{{Cite news|url=https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/society/2868128.html|title=Aleksandr Lukashenko offers condolences to President Aliyev|date=2018-03-03|work=Trend.Az|access-date=2018-03-07|language=en-EN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308041546/https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/society/2868128.html|archive-date=2018-03-08|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://en.mehrnews.com/news/132545/Rouhani-condoles-Azeri-president-over-rehab-center-fire|title=Rouhani condoles Azeri president over rehab center fire|date=2018-03-03|work=Mehr News Agency|access-date=2018-03-07|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308041330/https://en.mehrnews.com/news/132545/Rouhani-condoles-Azeri-president-over-rehab-center-fire|archive-date=2018-03-08|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.azernews.az/nation/128198.html|title=Georgian PM offers condolences over fire incident at Baku's Drug Rehab Center|date=2018-03-03|work=AzerNews.az|access-date=2018-03-07|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307044217/https://www.azernews.az/nation/128198.html|archive-date=2018-03-07|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.azernews.az/nation/128202.html|title=Kazakh president offers condolences to President AliyevKazakh president offers condolences to President Aliyev|date=2018-03-03|work=AzerNews.az|access-date=2018-03-07|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307044144/https://www.azernews.az/nation/128202.html|archive-date=2018-03-07|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.azernews.az/nation/128158.html|title=Jagland extends condolences on fire in Baku narcological hospital|date=2018-03-02|work=AzerNews.az|access-date=2018-03-07|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307115300/https://www.azernews.az/nation/128158.html|archive-date=2018-03-07|url-status=live}}