Mahdia tragedy: Major General (Ret’d) Joe Singh to lead Inquiry promised by President

Major General (Ret’d) Joseph Singh has been selected by President Dr. Irfaan Ali to lead the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the horrific fire at the female dormitory of the Mahdia Secondary School, Region Eight (Potaro- Siparuni) that claimed the lives of 20 children.

This was disclosed by President Ali on Tuesday when he spoke to reporters at the sidelines of an event.

President Ali said the Terms of Reference for the CoI is currently being finalised; a meeting with the team is expected before the end of this week.

“I also have a meeting with the family members of the Mahdia fire to discuss some outstanding issues,” Dr. Ali said.

It was reported that the fire was started by a young student, but safety concerns about the dormitory have been raised.

The President, in May, said a CoI will be done and the findings of the inquiry will “inform the way forward.”

A total of 20 children- 19 girls and one five-year-old boy- lost their lives after the tragedy. Several others were injured with one 13-year-old girl still receiving care abroad.