Shopping Center Fire in Paraguay

A fire broke out in a shopping center in a suburb of Asuncion, the capital of Paraguay. At least 300 died and around 340 were injured according to correspondents at the scene. The number of dead will likely increase as 100 out of the injured are in serious condition, and there are still people left buried under debris.

The police inferred that the fire broke out due to a gas explosion in a crowded building of around 700 people on Sunday. Firefighting authorities said, “The gas leaked out from a fast food restaurant in the shopping center and exploded, then the fire spread rapidly all through the building.”

A witness said, “Many sparks were observed like a fireworks show, and soon the fire spread inside the building and filled it with smoke.” In particular, it is shocking to hear some witness’ testimony that the loss of lives was increased because the shopping center closed its doors and made customers pay despite the fire.

Dozens of people died as the building collapsed due to the fire, and a rescue team collected and dealt with the dead bodies, many of which were severely burned or whose arms and legs were twisted and wrenched.

Immediately after the accident, Paraguayan President Nicarno Duarte visited the spot and consoled families of victims, and the interior minister ordered emergency duty for police and firefighters. The neighboring country of Argentina urgently sent a medical team and rescue workers.

zsh75@donga.com