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Guatemala children's home blaze 'leaves 19 dead' | Guatemala children's home blaze 'leaves 19 dead' |
(35 minutes later) | |
Firefighters in Guatemala say that at least 19 people have died in a blaze at a children's care home about 25km (15 miles) south-east of the capital, Guatemala City. | Firefighters in Guatemala say that at least 19 people have died in a blaze at a children's care home about 25km (15 miles) south-east of the capital, Guatemala City. |
About 25 others were injured in the fire at the Virgen de Asuncion shelter in San Jose Pinula. | About 25 others were injured in the fire at the Virgen de Asuncion shelter in San Jose Pinula. |
It is unclear what caused the blaze. | It is unclear what caused the blaze. |
On Tuesday, police intervened after a riot broke out at the home. About 60 children escaped. Some alleged they had been mistreated or sexually abused. | On Tuesday, police intervened after a riot broke out at the home. About 60 children escaped. Some alleged they had been mistreated or sexually abused. |
Oscar Franco, a spokesman for the volunteer firefighters, told local media: "At least 25 people were injured and transferred to hospitals and we have confirmed 19 bodies." | Oscar Franco, a spokesman for the volunteer firefighters, told local media: "At least 25 people were injured and transferred to hospitals and we have confirmed 19 bodies." |
'Over-capacity' | 'Over-capacity' |
The fire ripped through the facility in minutes. | The fire ripped through the facility in minutes. |
Firefighters battled to contain the flames as desperate family members arrived at the scene to try to find their loved ones. | Firefighters battled to contain the flames as desperate family members arrived at the scene to try to find their loved ones. |
One police officer said the fire had started with burning mattresses in one of the bedrooms and that the other minors were being taken to safety. | One police officer said the fire had started with burning mattresses in one of the bedrooms and that the other minors were being taken to safety. |
The children who fled on the eve of the fire said it was due to poor conditions and mistreatment following the riot, which left the facility damaged. | The children who fled on the eve of the fire said it was due to poor conditions and mistreatment following the riot, which left the facility damaged. |
The UN children's fund in Guatemala said on Twitter it "condemns the tragedy at the Virgin of the Assumption Home. These children and adolescents must be protected." | |
Local reports say the capacity of the home is 400, but that many more children were living there at the time. | Local reports say the capacity of the home is 400, but that many more children were living there at the time. |
The shelter takes in children up to the age of 18 who have suffered abuse or trafficking, or have been abandoned. | The shelter takes in children up to the age of 18 who have suffered abuse or trafficking, or have been abandoned. |
But local media say the shelter was also functioning as a juvenile detention centre, to which judges were sending adolescents involved in criminal cases. | But local media say the shelter was also functioning as a juvenile detention centre, to which judges were sending adolescents involved in criminal cases. |
A deadly fire at a children's home in Mexico in 2009 left 49 dead. | A deadly fire at a children's home in Mexico in 2009 left 49 dead. |