Malaysia fire: 24 die in blaze at unlicensed Islamic school
Authorities say there have been 29 similar fires at religious schools
A fire at an illegally operated religious school in Kuala Lumpur early today killed two teachers and at least 22 students, who were trapped by a locked door and barred windows.
An electrical short circuit is believed to have caused the blaze at the Islamic school, which didn’t have a fire permit and was not licensed by local or religious authorities. Malaysia’s housing minister, Noh Omar, told journalists from news outlets including CNN that there have been 29 similar incidents involving fires at religious schools.
Following the early morning blaze, firefighters found the remains of two teachers and 22 boys, all aged between 13 and 17, inside the Islamic “tahfiz” boarding school, reports The Daily Telegraph. Kuala Lumpur police chief Amar Singh said 14 other students and four teachers were rescued, with six of them hospitalised in critical condition.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Fire department officials said the victims were trapped behind fixed window grilles, while one of the fire exits on the second floor was reportedly blocked for renovations.
At a press conference, deputy inspector-general of police Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim said an electrical fault was believed to have caused the fire. He said: “At the moment, our first suspicion is that it was a short circuit. But the forensics team will look at every aspect.”
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told reporters that it isn’t the first such incident, adding that all Islamic religious schools were required to register and follow safety requirements.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Donald Trump’s week in Asia: can he shift power away from China?Today's Big Question US president’s whirlwind week of diplomacy aims to bolster economic ties and de-escalate trade war with China
-
The Icelandic women’s strike 50 years onIn The Spotlight The nation is ‘still no paradise’ for women, say campaigners
-
Mall World: why are people dreaming about a shopping centre?Under The Radar Thousands of strangers are dreaming about the same thing and no one sure why
-
Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designationThe Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago