A horrific fire swept through a dormitory at a school in the South American country of Guyana, claiming the lives of at least 20 children and injuring several others. Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali declared a state of emergency after the “devastating disaster.”
The blaze broke out on Sunday night at the Mahdia Secondary School dormitory in central Guyana. Ali said the government lost “many innocent souls” in the fire and urged citizens to pray for the children, their families and communities.
Ali instructed Guyana’s two main hospitals in the capital city of Georgetown to be on high alert and provide the “best possible care” for any child needing medical attention. Heavy rain and bad weather conditions hindered emergency workers in reaching and putting out the destructive fire that consumed the remote dormitory, located 124 miles south of Georgetown.
Private planes and military aircraft flew doctors and supplies to the disaster site to evacuate victims and provide emergency aid. At least one plane already transported three evacuees to Georgetown, according to reports. The government coordinated a large-scale medical response and emergency action plan to receive and treat critical patients.
Opposition leaders are demanding a full investigation into the cause of the catastrophic fire that took so many young lives. Natasha Singh-Lewis, an opposition MP, said officials must find out how “this most horrific and deadly incident” happened to prevent future tragedies of this scale.
The impoverished South American nation of 800,000 people recently discovered huge offshore oil reserves, hoping new petroleum wealth will drive rapid economic and social development. Guyana has the second highest percentage of rainforest cover on the planet.
The devastating fire that destroyed a school dormitory and took so many children’s lives has plunged the country into mourning. The president said the painful loss of life weighs heavily on all Guyanese during this time of national tragedy.
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