GUYANA: 15 yr girl charged with 19 counts of murder in Mahdia School fire

A 15-year-old girl has been charged and remanded into custody in connection with the Mahdia Secondary School dormitory fire which claimed the lives of 19 children.

The teenager, whose name is being withheld due to her age,  appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce via Zoom at the Diamond Magistrate’s Court on Monday May, 29 where she was not required to plead to the indictable charges. The teen is not being charged as a minor, as under Guyana law, a person over age 14 can be tried as an adult.

The teen was remanded to Juvenile Holding Centre, Sophia, Georgetown and the matter was adjourned to July 5.

The tragic fire started in one of the school dormitories on Sunday May 21 around 11 pm. The fire blazed for over three hours before it was brought under control. Eighteen girls and one boy perished while 29 others were injured.

The fire was started in the bathroom area and eventually tore through the whole building, which was partially made of wood and was housing 57 pupils at the time.

The girl is accused of threatening her attack after being disciplined for having a relationship with an older man, according to an Associated Press report.

One critically injured teen has been airlifted to a New York hospital for care.

On Friday May 26, the government said the bodies of 13 girls would be released following matches for DNA testing. The government said it would also be providing assistance and support to all families for funerals.

Guyana President, Mohammed Irfaan Ali, announced plans by government to hold a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the deadly fire. He made the announcement during the prayer service on the eve of Guyana’s 57th Independence anniversary on May 25.

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