SAD NEWS: FIRE DESTROYS BARTICA GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL, 30 CONFIRMED DEAD
Bartica, Guyana – A devastating tragedy has struck the heart of Region 7 (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) as a massive fire engulfed the Bartica Government Secondary School late Wednesday night, claiming the lives of at least 30 people and leaving the nation in deep mourning.
The inferno, which reportedly started around 11:45 PM, quickly consumed the school’s dormitory building, where dozens of students were believed to be sleeping. Emergency responders and fire crews from Bartica and nearby towns battled the raging blaze for hours, but were unable to prevent the complete destruction of the structure. The charred remains of the building stand as a grim symbol of the immense loss suffered by the Bartica community.
Preliminary reports suggest that the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though officials have not yet confirmed the exact cause. Investigations are ongoing, and a full forensic team has been dispatched from Georgetown to assist local authorities.
Among the deceased are mostly students, many of whom had come from remote riverine and hinterland communities to attend the regional secondary school. The school is known for providing critical access to education for children in the interior, and the loss has sent shockwaves throughout the entire nation.
Survivors have shared harrowing accounts of the blaze. Some described waking up to thick smoke and screams, barely escaping through windows and narrow hallways. Several students were injured while attempting to flee, and are currently being treated at the Bartica Regional Hospital. Authorities are working urgently to identify all victims, with the help of parents and community leaders.
President Irfaan Ali issued a statement early Thursday morning, calling it “one of the darkest days in our nation’s recent memory.” He has ordered immediate support for the families affected, and announced that flags will be flown at half-mast for the next three days. “The loss of so many young lives is beyond heartbreaking,” the President said. “We will do everything possible to support the grieving families and to find out exactly what went wrong.”
Education Minister Priya Manickchand also visited the site and pledged psychological support and trauma counseling for students, teachers, and the wider community. She confirmed that arrangements are being made to house displaced students temporarily while alternative education plans are drawn up.
As news of the tragedy spreads, an outpouring of grief and solidarity is being seen across Guyana and in the diaspora. Candlelight vigils are being planned in Georgetown, Linden, and other parts of the country.
The Bartica Government Secondary School fire marks one of the deadliest school-related tragedies in Guyana’s history. As the nation comes to terms with this immense loss, many are calling for greater safety measures, fire inspections, and upgrades to dormitory infrastructure across the country’s interior regions.
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