Victims of Brazil youth soccer blaze were all kids

THE bodies of the 10 victims of a fire that ravaged accommodation for youth players at Rio club Flamengo have been identified, Brazilian media reported on Saturday, saying all were between 14 and 17.

The fire struck early on Friday. Initially the authorities thought the victims included members of staff.

But on Saturday several Brazilian newspapers ran photos of the dead youngsters, smiling, proudly sporting the club’s red and black jersey or holding trophies.

Three young players were also hurt during the fire, including one with burns on more than 30 percent of his body.

Preliminary investigations, reported by local media, suggest the fire could have been caused by a short circuit in the air conditioning in the prefabricated building housing the players. The fire brigade said in a statement that the training center “was in the process of being brought into line with (fire) regulations” and that it did not yet have their certificate of approval.

Of the 10 teenagers who died, only three were from the state of Rio de Janeiro. Four were from neighboring states, two from Santa Catarina to the south and one from Sergipe in the north.

Two were goalkeepers, including 15-year-old Christian Esmerio who had been in the national under-15 and under-17 squads. Four were defenders including Pablo Henrique da Silva Matos, 14, who was the cousin of Werley, a veteran center back.

The other four were a midfielder and three forwards.

(AFP)