Another child dies after daycare fire in Brazil

Another victim of the attack at daycare center Gente Inocente, in Janaúba, Minas Gerais state, died in the early hours this morning (Oct. 9).

Mateus Felipe Rocha Santos, five years old, had been hospitalized in the state capital Belo Horizonte, a city where burn treatments are more widely available. The death toll now totals 11: nine children, teacher Heley Batista, and the perpetrator of the attack, security guard Damião Soares dos Santos.

Teacher Heley Batista, 43, who helped rescuing the children during the attack, was awarded the National Order of Merit for her heroism. The decision was made by President Michel Temer. In a note, the president said the award is granted whenever a person shows devotion to their country.

Twenty-four other victims are still in hospital in the cities of Janaúba, Montes Claros, and Belo Horizonte.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira