The Guyana Police Force has announced that DNA testing will have to be carried out on at least 13 of the 19 victims of the Mahdia dorm fire tragedy as the bodies were burnt beyond recognition.
At a press conference in Mahdia, Acting Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken explained that post-mortem examinations have already been conducted on six of the fire victims. The remaining 13 bodies will be examined in the coming days.
The Top Cop also revealed that based on initial investigations, it appears as though the fire which gutted the female dorm at the Mahdia Secondary School, was maliciously set. Mr. Hicken said the investigations will continue to determine the true cause.
Police investigators are in the area to probe the incident.
News Source understands that based on information received, it is believed that one of the students of the dorm set a mattress on fire late last night as the others were asleep. She reportedly did so in response to disciplinary action that had been taken against her earlier in the day.
Many of the students found themselves trapped in the grilled facility as the door was reportedly locked from the outside.
The critically injured students who were pulled from the inferno remain patients of the Georgetown Hospital, and some of their family members have also been transported to the City.
President Irfaan Ali today said the Government will be supplying whatever support is needed for the grieving families and for those who survived.
The President has announced three days of national mourning, which began at 4pm today.
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