North America
11:36, 24-Feb-2019
Funeral held for seven Syrian refugee children killed in Canada fire
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Hundreds of people attended the funeral on Saturday of seven Syrian refugee children killed in a house fire earlier this week in Halifax City in east Canada.
The Bahro family moved to Canada in 2017, after being sponsored by a Halifax refugee society. A widely watched YouTube video showed they were welcomed at an airport with flowers and balloons. The children ranged in age from four months to 15 years old.
"When it comes to our compassion and kindness...we can say we are one body, sharing this grief and sorrow they are experiencing," said Muslim cleric Hamzah Mangera at the funeral.
Close to 2,000 people listen during a funeral service for a Syrian refugee family who lost seven children in a February 19 house fire in Halifax, February 23, 2019. /VCG Photo
Close to 2,000 people listen during a funeral service for a Syrian refugee family who lost seven children in a February 19 house fire in Halifax, February 23, 2019. /VCG Photo
The fire also left their father in critical condition in hospital. Their mother was released from hospital and dealing with "an overwhelming amount of grief," according to Natalie Horne, vice president of the Hants East Assisting Refugees Team Society.
The cause of the fire remains unknown to authorities, who say the investigation could take months to complete.
Source(s): Reuters