Efforts to combat the blaze were challenged by adverse weather conditions, hampering rescue operations and prompting preparations for evacuation of the injured to a specialized center in the capital.
Early on Monday, a devastating fire erupted in a secondary school dormitory in Mahdia, a city located approximately 200 miles (320 kilometers) south of Guyana's capital, Georgetown. The blaze quickly engulfed the building, trapping students inside and resulting in the loss of at least 20 young lives. Numerous others sustained injuries, although the exact number remains unknown.
The fire broke out shortly after midnight and posed a significant challenge to emergency services due to adverse weather conditions, according to the government. Efforts to contain the flames and rescue those trapped were hindered by the inclement weather. As a result, some of the injured individuals are being prepared for evacuation to a specialized center in the capital.
According to BBC, expressing his deep sorrow, Guyanese President Irfaan Ali referred to the incident as a major disaster, describing it as "horrible" and "painful." He emphasized the need to provide the affected children with the best possible medical attention and announced the mobilization of medical teams and resources in Georgetown.
Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn has already arrived at the scene of the tragedy, with the prime minister and other government officials en route. The government's Department of Public Information issued a statement conveying the Cabinet's grief and its commitment to a comprehensive medical evacuation-supported response.
While the exact cause of the fire remains unknown and under investigation, security advisor Gerald Gouveia mentioned that it is too early to speculate on the matter. However, local newspaper Stabroek News reported that the fire originated in a girls' dormitory, and the challenging weather conditions presented additional complications for responders, particularly those utilizing air support.
Opposition parliamentarian Natasha Singh-Lewis has called for a thorough investigation into the incident. She stressed the importance of understanding the factors contributing to this horrific and deadly event to prevent such a tragedy from recurring in the future.
(With AP Inputs)