At least 19 children have died in a fire in the central Guyanese mining town of Mahdia, officials say, writes BBC.

The fire broke out just after midnight on Monday, engulfing a secondary school dormitory and trapping students. Emergency services are struggling to contain the fire because of bad weather conditions, the government says.

Initial investigations suggest the blaze may have been started maliciously, police say - although no suspects have yet been identified.

Earlier reports had recorded the death toll as being slightly higher, with at least 20 lives lost. Several other people have been injured and some are being prepared for evacuation to the capital, Georgetown, where a special centre has been set up.