At least 17 pupils were killed, and 13 others suffered severe burns after a fire broke out in a boarding school dormitory in central Kenya, according to the police.
They said that the number of deaths may increase as survivors are being treated in hospitals after the fire at Hillside Endarasha Primary School in Nyeri County.
Details about the victims, including their identities and ages, were not immediately available. However, most of them were reported to be children. According to reports, the school has about 800 students aged between five and twelve.
Police are investigating the cause of the fire, which happened on Thursday night. They stated that appropriate actions will be taken. They said many of the bodies found were badly burned and unidentifiable.
President William Ruto called the news “devastating” and said that those responsible would be held accountable. He also ordered a thorough investigation.
I instruct relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate this horrific incident. Those responsible will be held to account,” he wrote on the social media platform X.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua called on school administrators to ensure that safety measures in boarding schools are followed.
The Kenya Red Cross described the incident as tragic and reported that at least 11 injured children were taken to Nyeri Provincial General Hospital.
“The Kenya Red Cross is providing psychosocial support services to the pupils, teachers and affected families and has set up a tracing desk at the school,” It said in a statement on X.
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