No Children's Cries

Over one hundred and forty children, from babies to infants to six-year-olds in a neighbourhood day-care for impoverished families, housed in an old warehouse. In northern Mexico, on a town called Hermosillo.

Warehousing children. As though they are expendable, and no greater care in the choice of their protective housing was required by the municipality. A government daycare centre. In an old warehouse lacking adequate safety, existing next to a used-tire shop. Two doors, one always kept locked. Five windows, placed high on warehouse walls.

The facility, claims state authorities had passed a safety inspection only a month earlier. What are the standards, the yardstick for safety, for security of young children?

"It was a terrifying experience" a neighbour said, who had been among those who rushed to the scene, attempting desperately to save the lives of children inside the burning building. "There was a lot of smoke, but there were no children's cries. They were all unconscious or dead."

Nearby residents, responding to the calamity long before the arrival of official emergency services, smashed their vehicles through the centre's cement walls in a desperate attempt to reach the children.

Forty-one of whom died, most under two years of age. Some of asphyxiation, some of dreadful burns. Another twenty two children are hospitalized, with a dozen of those listed in serious condition. Six adults, care givers at the centre are also hospitalized, mostly for the effects of smoke inhalation.

Parents are preparing themselves to identify the little corpses, many of whom are so badly burned they are beyond recognition. Those parents whose children are receiving medical care sit waiting, distraught, incapable of functioning.

Many of the infants died - taking their afternoon nap - when the roof in the crib room collapsed upon them. Mexico mourns.