Photo: The Mahdia Secondary School Dormitory burned down in Guyana (Guyana’s Department of Public Information)

by Kristen Ku

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Tues. May 23, 2023

In an overwhelming catastrophe that has shaken the country of Guyana this week, at least 19 schoolchildren were killed when a monstrous fire engulfed the dormitory of the school they attended.

On Sunday, May 21, at approximately 10:15 p.m. local time, Guyanese officials were alerted of the fire that had consumed the female dormitory of Mahdia Secondary School, which was at the time occupied by 56 students out of a total of 59.

The building, a partially concrete and partially wooden-like structure, was completely engulfed in flames by the time firefighters arrived, and they recounted that it took over three hours to bring the fire under control. Unfortunately, they were unable to salvage the building or save the lives of all the victims inside.

Firefighters were only able to break holes into the north-eastern wall of the building through which some students who were trapped inside managed to get out.

According to Guyana’s Department of Public Information (DPI), the incident claimed the lives of 18 girls and one boy, with 13 dying on-site and five later in the hospital. Additionally, six of the injured children were transported to Georgetown for medical attention, while 17 others are currently receiving care in Mahdia Hospital.

Preliminary investigations suggested that the fire originated in the southwestern end of the building, but further investigations are still ongoing. What authorities do believe, however, is that the fire was “maliciously set.”

The government of Guyana has committed to providing medical and psychological assistance to all survivors of the disaster.

The Mahdia Secondary School Dormitory primarily served indigenous children as part of the Guyanese government’s initiative to improve education in less developed regions. The country has a diverse population, with 11% being Amerindians, according to the Pan-American Health Organization.

The Amerindian Peoples Association [APA] has released a statement in which they expressed their heartbreak over the incident, highlighting that the dormitory not only served students from Mahdia but also those from nearby indigenous communities such as Micobie, Chenapou, and Karisparu.

The incident prompted the president of Guyana, Irfaan Ali, to declare a three-day period of national mourning in the midst of the devastating loss. During this period, the Guyanese flag is being flown at half-staff in honor of the victims and their families.

This tragedy resonates deeply in Belize, as both nations share membership in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Belize has since extended its heartfelt condolences in an official statement on May 22 in which the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology of Belize stated that it “is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life resulting from a fire that affected the Mahdia Secondary School Dormitory in Region 8, Guyana.”

The release continues, “We stand in solidarity with our regional counterparts at the Ministry of Education in Guyana during this great distress and sorrow. We also convey our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the victims.”

The Secretary General of the 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Dr. Carla Barnett, also sent out her sympathies in a statement.

“On behalf of CARICOM, I extend sincere condolences to the Government and people of Guyana. We pray for a speedy recovery for those injured and otherwise impacted and offer the support of CARICOM member states as the community returns to normalcy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of unimaginable loss,” said Barnett.

According to medical officials of hospitals hosting the survivors, most of the girls are experiencing smoke inhalation challenges while a 13-year-old is receiving “limb-saving treatment” based on the severity of her burns.

And while many are still trying to recover from the news, other families have begun to demand from the government some sort of compensation for their loss.