Commissioners examining the May 21st Mahdia dormitory fire in Guyana will visit the site and satellite communities for assessments.

Stabroek News reports that this was revealed by Commission of Inquiry Secretary Javed Shadick at a briefing yesterday.

Formal hearings are to begin in September.

The Mahdia dormitory fire claimed the lives of 20 children and left a number of others injured.

Earlier this month, the members of a Commission of Inquiry were sworn in, with Guyana President Dr Irfaan Ali saying, “The COI represents a crucial step towards understanding and healing. It also is intended to derive lessons that can improve safety and ensure that such a tragedy never reoccurs.”

The Commission has been instructed to:

• Inquire and report on the events and circumstances leading up to and causes of the Mahdia dorm fire on the night of May 20th, 2023
• Inquire into and report upon the actions taken to provide swift care, medical attention and other forms of support and aid to families of the injured and deceased victims
• Make recommendations and observations as may be deemed fit which includes measures and actions that the commission may consider necessary to prevent recurrences of such tragedy