Tragedy in Guatemala

Tragedy in Guatemala

At least 22 girls were killed by a fire at a government-run home for abused teens in the Guatemala City suburb of San Jose Pinula.

The blaze was started by the residents themselves setting fire to mattresses during an overnight riot which broke out as they attempted to escape from the overcrowded government-run centre.

Nery Ramos, the head of Guatemala’s national police, said at the scene that 19 people, all girls, were confirmed dead and local hospitals later confirmed the death toll had risen to 22. Dozens more girls – all aged between 13 and 17 – were also treated for burns.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/08/guatemala-orphanage-fire-19-dead