A devastating fire swept through a primary school dormitory in central Kenya, leaving a trail of death and destruction in its wake. The blaze, which occurred at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County, claimed the lives of 17 children, with many more injured.
A tragic fire has occurred at a primary school dormitory in central Kenya, causing widespread devastation.
The blaze at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County claimed the lives of 17 children, leaving many others injured.
According to police, the fire broke out at around midnight, engulfing the children's rooms. The inferno quickly consumed the school, which caters to around 800 pupils aged between five and 12.
The Kenyan police spokesperson, Resila Onyango, confirmed the death toll, stating that the bodies recovered at the scene were burnt beyond recognition.
"There are 17 fatalities from this incident, and there are also others who were taken to hospital with serious injuries. More bodies are likely to be recovered once (the) scene is fully processed,” she said.
“The cause of the fire remains unknown, but an investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. President William Ruto expressed his condolences to the families of the victims, promising that those responsible would be held to account.
“Our thoughts are with the families of the children who have lost their lives in the fire tragedy,” he said in a post on X.
It added: The Kenyan Red Cross is on the ground, providing psychosocial support services to the pupils, teachers, and affected families. The agency is part of a multi-agency response team that assists those affected by the tragedy.
A post on X said it was “providing psychosocial support services to the pupils, teachers and affected families”.
It was gathered that this is not the first time a school fire has occurred in Kenya or East Africa. In 2016, nine students were killed in a fire at a girls' high school in Nairobi, while in 2001, 67 pupils lost their lives in an arson attack on their dormitory. In Tanzania, 40 school children were burned alive in a fire that ravaged a secondary school in 1994.
The latest tragedy has sent shockwaves across the country, with many calling for improved safety measures in schools. As the investigation into the cause of the fire continues, the nation mourns the loss of young lives cut short in their prime.
