Twin girls from Chenapau among 19 confirmed dead in Mahdia fire

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

Twin girls Mary and Martha Dandrade are among 19 girls confirmed dead after the dormitory at the Mahdia Secondary School in Region Eight went up in flames overnight.

The girls were from the indigenous Amerindian village of Chenapau, the closest village from Kaieteur Falls.

A massive rescue and humanitarian operation has been put in place to deal with the tragedy.

The government said the Prime Minister, Brigadier (r’td) Mark Phillips is leading a team of Cabinet and other officials to Madhia whilst Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn is already on the ground.

President Irfaan Ali and other officials are supporting efforts at Ogle Airport, East Coast Demerara to receive the critical patients and coordinate an emergency plan of action.

“A full-scale medical emergency action plan has been launched,” the government said in a statement.