Death toll in Guatemala shelter fire rises to 41

Death toll in Guatemala shelter fire rises to 41 | iNFOnews.ca
FILE - In this March 8, 2017 file photo, National Police guard the entrance to the Virgen de la Asuncion Safe Home, in San Jose Pinula, Guatemala. In November, a state human rights prosecutor filed a complaint with the Inter American Human Rights Commission charging rampant abuses at the shelter. The accusations included charges as serious as "forced recruitment for human trafficking for the purpose of prostitution." (AP Photo/Luis Soto, File)

GUATEMALA CITY – The death toll in a fire at a Guatemalan children’s shelter has risen to 41 after another girl died of her injuries.

The attorney general’s office said Friday the girl died after being transferred for treatment to a hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio.

She was one of nine girls transferred for treatment to hospitals in the United States.

Nineteen of the adolescents perished at the scene of the March 8 fire and 22 others have died at hospitals.

The fire began when mattresses were set ablaze during a protest by residents at the overcrowded youth shelter.

Guatemalan authorities have arrested three former child welfare officials who were responsible for overseeing the youth shelter.

News from © iNFOnews.ca, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

iNFOTEL

Related Articles