At least 19 college students have been killed in a fireplace at a secondary faculty dormitory in Guyana in South America, authorities have mentioned.

The nation's authorities has mentioned a number of different college students had been being handled for accidents after the hearth within the southwestern border city of Mahdia.

At least six others had been flown 200 miles to the capital Georgetown for therapy.

The fireplace started shortly after midnight native time on the faculty (5am UK time) that serves principally indigenous youngsters aged 12 to 18, in keeping with nationwide safety adviser Gerald Gouveia.

Local newspaper Stabroek News reported that the hearth broke out in a ladies' dormitory.

Mr Gouveia added it was too early to take a position what may need prompted the hearth, including that heavy thunderstorms within the space posed a problem to these responding by air.

"It was a battle for us," he mentioned. "The pilots were very brave, very determined."

He added that the federal government and emergency responders "made a gigantic effort" to save lots of as many individuals as potential.

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Guyana President Irfaan Ali mentioned: "This is a horrific incident. It's tragic. It's painful."

He added that his authorities was mobilising all sources to look after the kids.

Mr Ali mentioned officers had been contacting dad and mom and psychologists will assist these affected by the hearth.

"I cannot imagine the pain right now of the parents," he mentioned. "This is a major disaster."

Opposition parliamentarian Natasha Singh-Lewis referred to as for an in-depth investigation.

"We need to understand how this most horrific and deadly incident occurred and take all necessary measures to prevent such a tragedy from happening again in the future," she mentioned.

Content Source: information.sky.com