COLOMBO, June 3 -- At least five elderly residents were killed and 11 others remained missing after a devastating fire swept through an elderly care home in Horana on Wednesday (3), triggering a major rescue operation involving firefighters, police and local residents.

The blaze broke out at an elders' care facility in the Galpatha area of Horana, where 72 residents were housed at the time of the incident.

Police said rescue teams have recovered several charred bodies from the premises, with five deaths confirmed so far. Search operations are continuing for 11 residents who remain unaccounted for.

Authorities said 44 residents were safely evacuated from the facility, while eight others sustained burn injuries and were admitted to the H...