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04/08/2004
UN sends aid for Paraguay inferno survivors
The UN has pledged aid to Paraguay following the devastating fire in a shopping centre that killed hundreds at the weekend.
More than 350 people are thought to have died – including 46 children – in a blaze which destroyed a shopping centre in the Paraguayan capital, Asuncion.
A gas explosion – possibly emanating from the kitchens – is though to have caused the devastating blaze. The basement of the complex gave way and one of the floors collapsed, trapping victims beneath tonnes of rubble.
The UN Children’s Fund (Unicef) has offered to provide expert assistance to help adults and youngsters alike overcome the emotional and psychological trauma.
In a letter to the country's President, Nicanor Duarte Frutos, Unicef Regional Director Nils Kastberg and Paraguay Representative Adriano González-Regueral stressed the organization's readiness to join with other UN agencies in providing needed support.
It has been alleged that the tragedy was compounded when the owners of the Ycua Bolanos centre closed the doors to the complex – preventing shoppers from fleeing the area. Two owners have been detained by authorities over the allegations that the closed the doors were shut to stop people from leaving without paying. The management deny the claims, it has been reported.
Sunday's fire was the worst tragedy to have befallen the South America nation since a failed military coup in 1947 left 8,000 people dead.
(gmcg)
More than 350 people are thought to have died – including 46 children – in a blaze which destroyed a shopping centre in the Paraguayan capital, Asuncion.
A gas explosion – possibly emanating from the kitchens – is though to have caused the devastating blaze. The basement of the complex gave way and one of the floors collapsed, trapping victims beneath tonnes of rubble.
The UN Children’s Fund (Unicef) has offered to provide expert assistance to help adults and youngsters alike overcome the emotional and psychological trauma.
In a letter to the country's President, Nicanor Duarte Frutos, Unicef Regional Director Nils Kastberg and Paraguay Representative Adriano González-Regueral stressed the organization's readiness to join with other UN agencies in providing needed support.
It has been alleged that the tragedy was compounded when the owners of the Ycua Bolanos centre closed the doors to the complex – preventing shoppers from fleeing the area. Two owners have been detained by authorities over the allegations that the closed the doors were shut to stop people from leaving without paying. The management deny the claims, it has been reported.
Sunday's fire was the worst tragedy to have befallen the South America nation since a failed military coup in 1947 left 8,000 people dead.
(gmcg)
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