Man relocated from illegal Romanian care homes dies; 15 hospitalized

A 55-year-old man, Gheorghe Gogea, who was relocated from illegal care homes in Romania's Bihor county, has died shortly after being moved to a social center in Mureș county. The Ministry of Labor, Family, Youth, and Social Solidarity announced the death on Monday evening.

According to interim Labor Minister Dragoș Pîslaru, Gogea was stable upon relocation, possessed discernment, and had no identified urgent medical issues or disabilities requiring immediate special care. "Absolutely regrettably, I was informed this evening that a person relocated to Mureș county has died. This is Mr. Gheorghe Gogea (55 years old), who resided in Oradea," Pîslaru stated on Facebook. He added that Gogea had informed authorities during initial evaluations that he had no relatives or close contacts to support him.

The cause of death is currently undetermined, pending a medico-legal report. The Ministry detailed that 409 individuals were initially identified in the illegal facilities coordinated by Viorel Pașca and his family. Of these, 394 were relocated to social centers across 20 counties, while 15 were hospitalized for medical observation until their condition stabilizes.

The largest numbers of relocated individuals were sent to Alba (60), Satu Mare (56), Sibiu (42), Arad (38), Cluj (36), Botoșani (31), and Vâlcea (29). Other counties receiving residents include Mehedinți, Bistrița-Năsăud, Mureș, Bihor, Neamț, Hunedoara, Vrancea, Giurgiu, Olt, Timiș, Brașov, Gorj, and Caraș-Severin. Investigations into the illegal care homes are ongoing.

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Absolutely regrettably, I was informed this evening that a person relocated to Mureș county has died. This is Mr. Gheorghe Gogea (55 years old), who resided in Oradea. The person was stable after relocation, had discernment, and was not identified as having disabilities or urgent medical problems.