ATHENS

At least three asylum seekers were found dead following a fire in an abandoned building in the center of the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki, the country’s fire department said on Wednesday.

“Three men were found unconscious during the extinguishing of a small fire that broke out in an abandoned building in Thessaloniki. 15 firefighters were on site with 5 vehicles,” the fire department said in a statement.

However, later it was found out that they were dead, the statement added.

The three men, believed to be Algerian nationals, had found shelter in the third floor of the building.

According to the fire department, their death was apparently caused by the inhalation of smoke.

Another person was found alive, it added.