A devastating fire at Hillside Endarasha Primary Academy in Nyeri County, central Kenya, resulted in the deaths of at least 17 pupils and left 13 others seriously injured, according to police reports on Friday.
National Police Service spokesperson Resila Onyango confirmed that the fire, which erupted late Thursday, engulfed the dormitories of the school. Fourteen pupils were hospitalized with severe burns, and one of them died after being admitted.
“We are investigating the cause of the fire and taking necessary action,” Onyango told Xinhua news agency. “So far, we have confirmed 17 pupils dead.”
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Kenyan President William Ruto described the incident as “devastating” and vowed that those responsible would face consequences. “I instruct relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate this horrific incident.He stated in a post on X that authorities will hold those responsible to account.
Witnesses reported that the blaze completely destroyed one of the dormitories, raising concerns that the death toll could rise further. Local police indicated that rescue teams are actively managing the situation at the scene.
Fires in boarding schools are not uncommon in Kenya, where many parents send their children to avoid long commutes and to provide more study time. In 2016, a similar tragedy occurred when a fire at a girls’ high school in the Kibera neighborhood of Nairobi claimed nine lives.
However, authorities continue to investigate the cause of the fire and are working to ensure the safety of students in the region.
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