By Sue-Ann Wayow
AT least 20 children have died on Monday morning after fire broke out at school dormitory in Mahdia, Guyana.
Authorities are evacuating people to the capital of Georgetown.
Guyanese President Irfaan Ali said, “This is a major disaster. It is horrible, it is painful.”
The incident has been reported on several international platforms including the AFP, the BBC, CNN, Reuters and the Guardian (UK).
Reports are that the fire broke out just after midnight at Mahdia Secondary School Dormitory and due to bad weather conditions, emergency services struggled to contain the fire.
President Irfaan Ali posted on his social media page at 1 am, “It is with heavy heart and pain that the Cabinet is being briefed and kept updated on a horrific fire at the dormitory in Mahdia.
“All efforts are being made to have a full-scale medical evacuation-supported response. However, the inclement weather and heavy overcast condition are posing severe challenges to this exercise. The Ministry of Health and the Joint Services are collaborating to address the situation.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with our children and their families at this time. We will continue to update as information becomes available.”
In a video statement, National Security Advisor Captain Gerry Gouveia on the medical evacuation efforts currently underway said, “It was a battle for us.”
Guyana’s government’s Department of Public Information in a social media post stated, “It is with heavy heart and pain that the Cabinet is being briefed and kept updated on a horrific fire at the dormitory in Mahdia. All efforts are being made to have a full-scale medical evacuation-supported response.”
In an update at 8.17 am, the Department stated that the prime minister, retired Brigadier Mark Phillips, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand and Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, visited affected students and distressed families following the deadly early morning fire which has destroyed the Mahdia Secondary School Dormitory.
“The early morning fire claimed the lives of twenty students and injured several others, some of whom were air-dashed to Georgetown for medical attention. A full-scale medical emergency action plan has been launched. We ask that our prayers continue to be with these children, their families, and their communities,” the Department stated.
Five planes were deployed to Mahdia to support the regional health officials with additional medical supplies, medical personnel, and transport persons from Mahdia to Georgetown.
Mahdia is a southwestern border town 200 miles (320 kilometers) south of the Georgetown.
