The fire killed 18 girls, students of the school, mostly from the indigenous population, and a 5-year-old boy, identified as the son of one of the caretakers of the center.

Hicken said autopsies have been completed on six bodies so far, while DNA tests will be carried out as soon as possible to identify the other 13 victims who were left charred.

Thirteen girls and a 5-year-old boy died in the same school dormitory, and five more children died in a Mahdia hospital.

Of the injured, six girls were taken to the capital, Georgetown, in critical condition, while 17 are being treated at a Mahdia hospital.

Guyanese President Irfan Ali has declared three days of national mourning and the national flag will be flown at half-mast over all public buildings in honor of the children who have died.

“I ask that we as a nation use the next three days as three days of prayer for these children, their families and the community,” said Ali, who called yesterday one of the “sadest days” of his life as president.

The 56 girls were housed in the school’s female dormitory and were from the mountain towns of Chenapau, Carisparu, Mikobi and El Paso, according to authorities.

Indigenous communities in these cities, which have strained relations with the government, demanded compensation and justice after the tragic incident. EFE