12 killed in fire at elderly care home in Sri Lanka

ISHARA S. KODIKARA / AFP

A dozen people have died in a fire at a home for elderly people in Sri Lanka, while another eight have been hospitalised.

The fire, which broke out at a facility in Anguruwatota, 55 km from the commercial capital Colombo, has been put out and the director of the establishment has been arrested, police said.

"A total of 51 people were rescued from the home and they are being looked after by the military and public officials in the area," police spokesperson Frederick Wootler added.

Two police teams are conducting further investigations, he said.

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