London-The Diplomatic Corps in the United Kingdom has demonstrated solidarity and offered its sympathy to the Government and People of Liberia regarding the tragic death of several school children in a fire disaster on 17 September 2019 at a boarding school in Paynesville, near Monrovia, a press release from Liberia’s Embassy in the UK said on Monday.
The diplomats were speaking during the opening of a book of condolences by the Liberian Mission at the Court of St. James from 20 -24 September, 2019, following a day of national mourning declared in a Presidential proclamation by President George Manneh Weah.
The 30 September press release says government representatives and High commissioners conveyed their sympathy for the tragedy which claimed the lives of about 28 students.
Led by the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey, the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, diplomats expressed shock at the occurrence and extended their heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Liberia.
They called on Liberians, especially the bereaved families to take heart during such a pungent period.
His Excellency Ambassador Umit Yalcin from the Republic of Turkey, on behalf of his Government expressed condolences for the tragedy which had struck such young lives in Liberia.
The Mozambican High Commissioner, Ambassador Filipe Chidumo expressed condolences to the Government and People of Liberia and all the bereaved families on the tragic loss of so many lives. “On behalf of the Mozambican High Commission and on my own behalf, I register my deepest condolences. May the souls of the deceased rest in eternal peace,” his message concluded.
The Deputy Director for Africa and Africa Security at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London, Charlotte Pierre wrote, “On behalf of Her Majesty’s Government, my deepest condolences to the people of Liberia and the families of the victim.”
Representing the Nigerian High Commission in London, H. E. Dakoye Igbainbo George conveyed his government’s sympathy through the following words of expression. “This calamity is a great loss, not only to the parents, Liberia and the African continent, but to the global community. The Nigeria High Commission conveys it condolences”.
The First Counsellor at the Embassy of Democratic Republic of Congo in London, Eric Migabo, on behalf of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo extended “heartfelt condolences to the Government and People of the sisterly Republic of Liberia on the death of about 28 Liberians caused by a tragic fire at a boarding school in Paynesville, near Monrovia on 17 September, 2019.”
Responding to the warm-hearted words of consolation expressed by members of the diplomatic corps in empathy with the people of Liberia, Liberia’s Ambassador accredited to London, Gurly Gibson – Schwarz, in separate interactions, recounted the tragic effects of the situation on the nation, especially as Liberia continues to increase the desire for education amongst children and the nation at large.