Georgetown/IBNS: A devastating fire engulfed a school dormitory Tragedy in Guyana on Sunday, resulting in the loss of at least 20 lives, according to a government statement.

The nation's President, Irfaan Ali, expressed profound sorrow, describing the incident as a "major disaster" that is both horrifying and painful. The death toll climbed to 20, with several individuals sustaining injuries in the blaze at Mahdia Secondary School, situated in central Guyana, reported AFP.

President Ali swiftly took action, issuing directives for the immediate arrangement of medical facilities in the capital city of Georgetown's major hospitals. His aim was to ensure that every child in need receives the best possible medical attention.

In response to the emergency, both private and military aircraft were dispatched to Mahdia, located approximately 200 kilometers (124 miles) south of Georgetown, as heavy rains affected the region.

As news of the incident spread, Natasha Singh-Lewis, an opposition Member of Parliament, called for a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the fire.

She stressed the importance of understanding the circumstances leading to this horrific and fatal incident, emphasizing the need for preventive measures to avert such tragedies in the future.

Guyana, a small nation with an English-speaking population of around 800,000 people, has a historical background as a former Dutch and British colony. It is renowned for possessing the world's largest per capita oil reserves, which it hopes will pave the way for rapid development and progress.