After the devastating school fire, there are indications of arson

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The fire, which broke out at the high school in the Potaro-Siparuni region in the center of the country, was “malicious”, the government said on Monday (local time), citing the fire service. Accordingly, the fire broke out late Sunday evening in the southwestern part of the building and spread quickly. Head of State Mohamed Irfaan Ali spoke of one of the “saddest days” of his life as president and called for three days of national mourning.

According to the government, a total of 18 girls and a five-year-old boy died as a result of the fire. There was initially no official information about the cause. According to local media, it is speculated that the fire was started by a schoolgirl. She was angry that her cell phone had been taken away. The government initially spoke of 20 deaths, but then corrected this number downwards. The five-year-old is said to be the son of a nurturing couple. Authorities initially gave no further information on the ages of the victims.

Following the emergency call, five planes with medical supplies were sent to the region. Bad weather complicated operations.

“There are no words that can describe the pain our brothers and sisters are going through today. We wish this day had never happened,” President Ali said in the government statement. “This is a pain we must bear as a nation and as a family.” During a site visit, he promised relatives “unconditional” support. Guyana has about 800,000 inhabitants and is one of the poorest countries in South America.

(SDA)

Source: Blick