CARICOM flag at half-staff at Secretariat as Community mourns death of children in Mahdia fire
As the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) mourns the death of schoolchildren in a fire at Mahdia, Region 8, Guyana, the CARICOM flag is flying at half-staff at the Georgetown Headquarters of the Secretariat.
President of Guyana, His Excellency Mohamed Irfaan Ali, on Monday declared three days of national mourning to honour the lives of the 19 children – 18 girls and a five-year-old boy.
#CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr. Carla Barnett, has extended sincere condolences to the Government and people of Guyana following the deaths of children as a result of a fire in the town of Mahdia on Sunday.
Read the entire statement: https://t.co/cblFlLDBwk
— CARICOM: Caribbean Community (@CARICOMorg) May 22, 2023
On Monday, the President met with the parents, guardians, and other relatives of the students affected by the fire at the Mahdia Secondary School female dormitory, the Department of Public Information (DPI) reported.
On behalf of the Government and the People of Saint Lucia, I extend my deepest condolences to the families who have suffered this devastating loss in the Mahdia Secondary School Dormitory fire that claimed the lives of 19 students.
Our hearts are with the People of Guyana. pic.twitter.com/V4wkc7M6qe
— Philip J. Pierre (@PhilipJPierreLC) May 22, 2023
“I’m committing, as I have done to the family members already, our full unconditional, unhindered support for the families and these children; whether it be medical, social, counseling, financial, transportation, accommodation- whatever the form of support required, the state will provide that support to the families, to the children,” he said.
I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of 19 students who perished in a secondary school dormitory fire in Mahdia, Guyana late Sunday. I pray for strength for their families and healing for those hospitalized with critical injuries.
— Roosevelt Skerrit (@SkerritR) May 22, 2023
Describing the day as one of the saddest days of his life as President, Dr. Ali called on the country to “utilise the next three days as three days of prayers for these children, their families, and the community”.
The news of the fire at the Mahdia Secondary School in Guyana, which claimed the lives of 19 children late last night, is truly a tragedy beyond words.
To @DrMohamedIrfaa1 and the people of Guyana, I offer my sincere condolences, and offer my support during this difficult time.— Mia Amor Mottley (@miaamormottley) May 22, 2023
CARICOM Heads of Government and the CARICOM Secretary-General have extended condolences to Guyana on the tragedy.
I am deeply saddened by the devastating news of the fire at the Mahdia Secondary School dormitory in Guyana.
On behalf of the people of The Bahamas, I extend our heartfelt condolences to President Irfaan Ali, the people of Guyana, and especially to the families who have lost…
— Philip Brave Davis (@HonPhilipEDavis) May 22, 2023
Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Amery Browne said Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has reached out offering aid to Guyana’s President Dr Irfaan Ali, following Monday’s early morning fire that killed at least 19 students at the Mahdi Secondary School.
For more: https://t.co/DaKtizwyWC pic.twitter.com/x5w8ycpqjm
— CNC3TV (@CNC3TV) May 22, 2023
Source: CARICOM TODAY