17 Pupils Killed in Devastating Fire at Boarding School in Nyeri County
17 pupils lost their lives in a tragic fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County. More than a dozen others are hospitalized with severe burns. Read more about the investigation.
At least 17 pupils have tragically lost their lives following a fire that broke out at a boarding school in central Kenya on Thursday night, according to police reports. The incident occurred at Hillside Endarasha Academy, a primary school in Nyeri County. Concerns are mounting that the death toll could increase, as more than a dozen students have been hospitalized with severe burns.
The cause of the fire, which occurred around midnight, remains unknown. President William Ruto described the event as "horrific" and "devastating" and has called for an investigation to ensure those responsible are held accountable. "Those responsible will be held to account," President Ruto stated on social media.
Police Chief Pius Murugu confirmed that over 150 pupils were in the dormitory when the fire rapidly spread, likely fueled by the timber construction of the school buildings. Resila Onyango, a police spokesperson, mentioned that several bodies had been recovered, many of them "burnt beyond recognition." Authorities expect more victims to be found as investigations continue.
The Kenya Red Cross has set up a tracing desk at the school and is providing trauma counseling services to students, teachers, and families affected by the tragedy. Hillside Endarasha Academy, a private school with over 800 pupils aged 5 to 12, is located about 150km north of Nairobi.
School fires have become an alarming issue in Kenya, with past incidents including a deadly arson attack at Moi Girls High School in Nairobi in 2017, which claimed 10 lives. The deadliest school fire in Kenyan history occurred over 20 years ago in Machakos County, where at least 67 students perished.
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