Mahdia CoI: Students, parents testify about lead-up, aftermath of deadly fire
The Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the fatal Mahdia dormitory fire continued its hearings on Monday, hearing the testimonies of five students and seven parents who were affected by the tragic May 21, 2023 incident.
Secretary of the Commission, Javed Shadick made this disclosure during a phone interview with this publication.
Mahdia Commissioner of Inquiry (CoI) Secretary, Javed Shadick
While the CoI is in the public’s interest, all hearings involving minors and relatives of the deceased and injured are being held in-camera, given the age and of the children and the sensitivity of the information being revealed.
As such, Monday’s hearings were not open to the media and public.
However, Shadick noted that as per the Terms of Reference (ToR), the students relayed their accounts of the circumstances leading up to the fire.
The ToR also mandates the Commission to inquire into the responses after the fire and offer recommendations to prevent the incident’s recurrence.
“We had some parents who were there in regards to those who were injured so [the Commission] talked to them about the relief and support they would’ve gotten,” Shadick said.
Just over four months ago, the Mahdia Secondary School’s female dormitory went up in flames, claiming the lives of 19 female students and the son of the dorm’s caretakers.
In August, President Dr Irfaan Ali had sworn in Major General (Ret’d) Joseph Singh, Chairman of the National Toshaos Council (NTC), Derrick John, and Attorney-at-law Dr Kim Kyte-Thomas as members of the CoI to conduct an investigation into the matter.
Public hearings commenced on September 15, with the Commission speaking to a number of persons involved, including the dorm’s mother and father, Head of the Burn Care Unit at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, Dr Shilindra Rajkumar, and Officer-in-Charge at the Mahdia Fire Station, Ryan Scott.
While the Commission’s investigation is set to run for two months, the President had previously stated that an extension would be granted, if necessary. (G13)
