Tragedy struck in Guyana late last night as 18 female students of the Mahdia Secondary School and one boy were killed after a dormitory blaze.

According to Starbroek News, the fire reportedly began at 11.40 pm in the female dormitory. The Education Minister Priya Manickchand provided the following update via her Facebook page:

“Standing in what remains of the Mahdia Female Dormitory that housed 59 students less than 12 hours ago. 56 girls were present at the time , 3 went home with their families for the weekend. Children housed at the dorms came from the communities of Karisparu, El Paso, Micobie and Chenapao.
Today, on this 22nd day of May ,19 students lost their lives, 18 of whom were females all between the ages of 12 to 17, and one boy aged 5, child of the dorm parents, who were trying to rescue other children at that time.
6 of our girls remain at the Georgetown Public Hospital and 17 at the Mahdia Hospital, where they are being treated and cared for, let us pray for their recovery and strength at this time”.

The Government of Guyana also issued a statement:

STATEMENT ON FIRE AT MAHDIA DORMITORY

It is with great sadness that we bring to you a heart-wrenching update on the fire at the dormitory at the Mahdia Secondary school. We have lost many beautiful souls in that fire. 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. At this moment, seven children are prepared to be medivac to Georgetown.

The Prime Minister is leading a team of cabinet and other officials to Madhia whilst Minister Benn is already on the ground. The president and other officials are supporting efforts at Ogle to receive the critical patients and coordinate an emergency plan of action. A full-scale medical emergency action plan has been launched. We ask that our prayers continue to be with these children, their families, and communities. (End of statement)

The police also issued a statement:

Police in Region Eight are probing a devastating fire of so-far unknown origin, which destroyed the Mahdia Secondary School’s Female Dormitory, killing 20 students and injuring several others, some in critical condition.

The tragic incident occurred last night (Sunday, May 21) at about 22:50 hrs.

At the time of the fire, sixty-three (63) female students were reportedly in the dormitory. Reports are that 20 students died in the fire: (14 students died inside the building, five died at the Mahdia District Hospital, and one died on the way to Georgetown).

According to one of the female students, who managed to escape, she was awakened by screams and upon checking, she saw a fire in the bathroom area, which quickly spread to other parts of the building.

Commander of the Region, Senior Superintendent Khalid Mandall, along with a Police team and members of the Guyana Fire Service and others from the Joint Services, are on location as investigations continue. A high-level team of Government officials led by Prime Minister Hon. Mark Philips and including several Ministers are currently in Mahdia as Guyana mourns the heart-rending loss of the students. (End of statement)

Details surrounding the cause of the fire at this time are still being ascertained.