DHAKA: At least 17 schoolgirls were killed as a boarding house caught fire in northern Thailand on Sunday (May 22) midnight.
 
Five others were injured and two girls remain missing, police said on Monday.

According to a local newspaper, the fire broke out at the boarding-house of Pithakkiart Witthaya School in Wiengpapao district.

The girls who died in the fire were between five and 12 years old.

There were 38 schoolgirls staying at the boarding-house. They came from hill tribe villages in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai to study in the town.

After the blaze broke out officials could only evacuate a few of the girls while the rest were trapped inside.

BDST: 1000 HRS, May 23, 2016
AKA