Difficult-to-watch footage: a student's costume caught fire at school

A 12-year-old student was severely burned during Day of the Dead celebrations at a school in Mexico, after her corn husk dress caught fire from a lit candle. She suffers from burns over more than 40% of her body. Authorities have launched an investigation.

A 12-year-old student, Zaira Osorio, was severely burned after her dress caught fire during Day of the Dead celebrations at Teodomiro Manzano High School in San Miguel Regla, Hidalgo state, Mexico. The incident occurred on Wednesday, October 28, during a costume contest. The dress, made of corn husks, touched a lit candle placed on the stage and ignited quickly. Students and staff tried to extinguish the flames using coats and water. Zaira suffers from burns over more than 40% of her body and was transferred to a hospital in Mexico City for treatment of second-degree burns. Her father, José Osorio, published a plea for help in funding medical treatment. The Hidalgo Ministry of Education opened an investigation to clarify the circumstances of the accident, noting that safety procedures prohibit the use of open flames in educational activities. However, the father claimed that the authorities have not yet contacted the family.