The manager of a care home in Sri Lanka was arrested on Thursday, a day after a devastating fire claimed the lives of 12 residents and left six others injured.
Authorities said the manager of the Maupiya Sewana Elders Home was taken into custody as forensic teams examined the burnt-out facility. Investigators discovered seven additional charred bodies during their search, bringing the death toll to 12.
Witnesses saw the manager being escorted to the scene in handcuffs while police interviewed survivors and nearby residents as part of the ongoing investigation.
The facility housed not only elderly residents but also young people with mental health conditions. According to police, the youngest victim was a 17-year-old boy.
Police spokesman Fredrick Wootler said 51 residents and staff members who were rescued from the fire on Wednesday have since been relocated to a nearby government-run facility.
Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the cause of the fire.
