At least 20 children killed in Guyana school dormitory fire

At least 20 children have died in a fire that broke out in a school dormitory in central Guyana, the South American nation’s government says.

At least 20 children have died in a fire that broke out in a school dormitory in central Guyana, the South American nation’s government says.

“It is horrible. It is painful,” President Irfaan Ali said late on Sunday (May 21).

The fire broke out in a secondary school in the gold-mining town of Mahdia in the Potaro-Siparuni district, 320km (200 miles) south of the capital, Georgetown.

“We have lost many beautiful souls in that fire,” the government said in the statement. “The death toll currently stands at 20 while several others received injuries.”

“Five planes have already taken off to Mahdia to support the regional health officials with additional medical supplies and medivacs,” it said.

The government said several students were being treated for injuries, and at least six of them were flown to the capital for treatment.