Two Irish women have died in a fire in the Belgium city of Leuven.
Dace Zarina (22) from Co Longford, and Sara Gibadlo (19) from Oranmore in Co Galway, were second year students on placement from the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology.
Both girls had just started a 30-week work placement in Leuven, a requirement of their Business degree in Hotel and Catering Management.
It is thought that the fire happened in a private residence which didn't have any links with the Irish college or with the University of Leuven.
Dace's family are originally from Latvia while, Sara's are from Poland.
The girls were the only two GMIT students on placement in the Belgian college but it has been reported that eight other students believed to be Irish were treated in the city's hospital after the blaze.
The University of Leuven has said that any private student residences must be registered with the city authorities and they are subject to inspections by the fire department.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny has offered his sympathies to the families of the two girls.
Mr Kenny said: "it is always sad when something like this happens, especially with two young people," as reported by RTÉ.
Image via OttsWorld.com
