Guatemala shelter fire death toll climbs to 38
The number of girls who died following a horrific fire at a government-run shelter for Guatemalan teens has climbed to 38, officials said on Saturday.
Two more adolescent girls succumbed to their injuries while being treated in intensive care, according to hospital officials, who said 15 girls are still in their care, including nine who remain in critical condition.
The girls perished in a blaze Wednesday at the Virgin of the Assumption Safe Home for children in San Jose Pinula, a village just east of the capital.
The fire broke out in the girls' living quarters of the walled facility, killing 19 immediately. The others died later from their extensive burns.
All of the victims were girls aged between 14 and 17, officials said.
The blaze was believed to have been set by girls protesting dire conditions they were subjected to at the government-run shelter at the center, including sexual abuse and other mistreatment by staff.