Several students have died after a fire of unknown origin gutted the Mahdia Secondary Schoo dormitory in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni). The blaze erupted just before midnight. This newspaper understands that the fire allegedly started in the bathroom area at the facility. President Dr Irfaan Ali is at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport as authorities rush to provide emergency response to the fire that has claimed the lives of several students. Ali shared that so far information received indicates that three persons are in a critical state while the death toll is still unknown. Initial reports were that six persons died but that number has since increased. Ali said an emergency area is being set up at the airport while the Infectious Diseases Hospital and the Georgetown Public Hospital are being prepared to treat patients who will be air-dashed to the city.
The government has issued the following statement on the situation:
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.
