Ten children die in Estonia orphanage fire

Ten children die in Estonia orphanage fire

2011-02-20 23:28:01 GMT+7 (ICT)

HAAPSALU, ESTONIA (BNO NEWS) -- At least ten children were killed on early Sunday afternoon when a fire broke out at an orphanage in western Estonia, local media reported.

Estonian Public Broadcasting reported that the fire broke out at around 2.30 p.m. local time at an orphanage for disabled children in Haapsalu, a seaside resort town on the west coast of Estonia. It said at least 10 out of around 40 children were killed, without providing other details.

Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves called on flags to be flown at half-mast on Monday. "Today's tragic accident at [the orphanage] shocked the whole country," he said. "We all share the grief of the families and loved ones."

He added: "Words are powerless to console, but let's support the people who are affected by this terrible accident. I invite you to remember those who died and to lower flags throughout the country tomorrow. Estonia is in deep mourning."

The cause of the fire is being investigated.

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