‘Major disaster’ declared as at least 20 children are killed in school dormitory fire in Guyana
‘Major disaster’ declared as at least 20 children killed in dormitory fire in Guyana
- South American president calls disaster ‘horrible and painful’
- Large-scale contingency plan in operation as inclement weather hinders rescue efforts
- Military and private flights transfer injured children to hospitals in Georgetown
A fire at a dormitory in Guyana killed at least 20 people on Sunday and injured several, the government said in a statement.
South American President Irfaan Ali speaks of a ‘major disaster’.
“It’s terrible, it’s painful,” Ali said on Sunday night.
The death toll had risen to 20 and several people were injured in the fire at Mahdia Secondary School in central Guyana, the government statement said.
“We lost many beautiful souls in that fire,” the statement added. “We ask that our prayers remain with these children, their families and communities.”
After the school fire in Mahdia, a large-scale emergency plan came into effect
Ali said he had ordered arrangements to be made in the capital Georgetown’s two major hospitals “so that every child who needs attention has the best possible chance of getting that attention.”
Emergency services are reportedly struggling to get the fire under control due to bad weather conditions.
Guyana, a small English-speaking country with a population of 800,000, is a former Dutch and British colony.
Private and military jets have been sent to Mahdia, about 200 kilometers south of Georgetown, as the region is hit by heavy rains.
“Five planes have already taken off to Mahdia to support regional health officials with additional medical supplies and medicines,” the government statement said.
According to an AFP journalist, at least one plane carrying three evacuees has arrived in Georgetown.
Children rescued in the fire are being airlifted to hospitals in Georgetown for treatment
The government said officials supported efforts at the capital’s Ogle airport to “accommodate the critical patients and coordinate an emergency plan.”
“A full emergency medical action plan has been launched,” it added.
Natasha Singh-Lewis, an opposition MP, called for an investigation into the cause of the fire.
“We must understand how this horrific and deadly incident happened and take all necessary measures to prevent such a tragedy from happening again,” she said.
Guyana has recently discovered that it has the largest oil reserves per capita in the world.
Among the poorest countries in South America, it hopes the discovery will spur rapid development.
The country has the second highest percentage of forest cover in the world.