ASUNCIÓN — 2004 · Major Tragedy
The Ycuá Bolaños Supermarket Fire
Around midday on Sunday 1 August 2004, a fire broke out in the food court of the Ycuá Bolaños supermarket in Asunción's Trinidad district and quickly engulfed the shopping complex. According to official figures more than 300 people died and hundreds were injured; some sources put the toll above 400. It was one of the worst disasters in Paraguay's history. Survivors and firefighters alleged that doors were closed when the fire started to stop people leaving with unpaid goods; management denied this. After a long and turbulent trial, the owners and a security guard were sentenced in 2008 to between 5 and 12 years for causing the deaths.
- Date
- 2004
- Place
- Trinidad, Asunción, Paraguay, Asunción, PY
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Solved
- Coordinates
- -25.2700, -57.5900 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 1 August 2004Fire broke out at the Ycuá Bolaños supermarket.
- August 2004Allegations that doors were closed sparked national outrage.
- 2008The owners and a security guard received 5-12 years.
Sources
- BBC Mundo — Paraguay: incendio en supermercado news.bbc.co.uk ↗
- El País — Ycuá Bolaños (2004) elpais.com ↗
- Infobae — A 20 años del incendio del Ycuá Bolaños infobae.com ↗
- Wikipedia — Ycuá Bolaños supermarket fire en.wikipedia.org ↗
- BBC Mundo
- El País
- Infobae
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.