Mahdia tragedy: Three injured girls flown to Georgetown

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated to reflect new information from the authorities. We originally reported 20 people had died.

Three girls have been admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), having been flown to the city following a fire that engulfed the dormitory for girls at the Mahdia Secondary School in Region Eight. 19 girls are confirmed dead.

There are fears the death toll could rise as daylight sets in and the authorities are able to get a clearer view of the site. The fire reportedly started around midnight Sunday.

Dr Leslie Ramsammy, Advisor to the Minister of Health, confirmed that the three girls flown to the city have been admitted to the GPHC and are receiving treatment.

Of the three, a 14-year-old girl has been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit and her condition has been listed as critical but stable.

Dr Ramsammy confirmed that the other two girls, aged 13 and 14, received minor burns but are “stable and conscious.”

Two senior doctors of the GPHC were flown into the mining town to assess the patients and determine who needs critical care and should be flown to the city.