Girls burnt to death in juvenile home

 

At least 21 girls died in fire that broke out in a state run juvenile home near Guatemala city.

Guatemala’s Justice Ministry said it would investigate the fire that took the lives of girls between the ages of 14 and 17, authorities said.

Dozens more were hospitalized, mostly in a serious condition. Guatemala City’s Roosevelt Hospital was treating 18 victims for second and third degree burns, hospital director Carlos Soto said.

The incident came a day after dozens of juvenile residents were reported to have fled the centre amid rioting over poor conditions and treatment. According to Social Welfare Secretary Carlos Rodas, whose ministry oversaw the centre, the fire started when teenagers reportedly set fire to mattresses in a dormitory,

Firefighters posted photographs on social media of what appeared to be numerous ash-smeared bodies partially covered by blankets in a large room.

Family members of those housed at the centre gathered outside it Wednesday in scenes of chaos and consternation, as firefighters carried out survivors crying in pain.

The Hogar Seguro – “safe home” housed more than 600 juveniles. It was created for girls taken from dangerous or abusive homes into state custody, but also housed some who had committed crimes.

Boys and girls were housed in separate facilities. The centre had drawn scrutiny since at least 2015, following reports of mistreatment, overcrowding and sexual trafficking of minors, according to local newspaper Prensa Libre.

 

Authorities had sought court permission overnight to transfer instigators of the riot, Rodas said.