In Guyana, a school dormitory fire has resulted in at least 20 child fatalities and an undetermined number of student injuries.
The Guyanese government reported that the fire broke out shortly after midnight at a secondary school in Mahdia, a town some 120 miles south-west of Georgetown, that primarily educates indigenous students.
In a statement, it also mentioned that at least seven kids had been transported by air to the capital for medical attention.
Heavy thunderstorms in the vicinity were hampering attempts to completely evacuate the area and look into the occurrence.
National Security Adviser Gerald Gouveia said the weather was making life hard for those travelling by air to the scene.
He said: ‘It was a battle for us, the pilots were very brave, very determined.’
Local newspaper Stabroek News reported that the fire broke out in a girls’ dormitory.
A statement from the government’s department for public information said: ‘It is with heavy heart and pain that the cabinet is being briefed and kept updated on a horrific fire at the dormitory in Mahdia.
‘All efforts are being made to have a full-scale medical evacuation-supported response.
‘However, the inclement weather and heavy overcast condition are posing severe challenges to this exercise.
‘The Ministry of Health and the Joint Services are collaborating to address the situation.
‘Our thoughts and prayers are with our children and their families at this time. We will continue to update as information becomes available.’