According to police reports on Friday, At least 17 children died and 14 were injured last night in a fire which occurred at a primary school in central Kenya.
He firewhich originated around midnight while most of the students were sleepingdestroyed the boarding school of the Academia Hillside Endarasha en Kieniin Nyeri County.
National Police Service spokesperson Resila Onyango confirmed that 17 students were killed and 14 injured.We are investigating the cause and taking the necessary measures.“he told local media.
Onyango said that “sixteen children were left unrecognizable due to burns, while Another died on the way to the hospital«.
This morning, parents, teachers and officials of the Criminal Investigations Department (DCI) Police arrived at the school, which houses more than 800 studentsto investigate the tragedy.
Kenyan President William Ruto expressed his sorrow over the tragic incident and ordered an investigation. “Our thoughts are with the families of the children who died in the fire at the Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County. This news is deeply devastating.“, said the president.
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The President continued: “We pray for the speedy recovery of the survivors. I have instructed the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into this terrible incident.“Those responsible must be held accountable.”
He then added that the Government “is mobilizing all the resources needed to provide support to affected families”.
Former Prime Minister and opposition leader Raila Odinga also expressed his condolences through a message on X, sending his “Deepest condolences to the families, friends and school community who have lost loved ones in the tragic fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy.”
Meanwhile, Kenyan Vice President Rigathi Gachagua plans to visit the disaster site on Friday.
The tragedy has brought back memories of other deadly fires in Kenyan schools, such as the 2001 disaster at Kyanguli Secondary School boarding school in Machakos County, near Nairobi.
In that event, deliberately provoked by two students, 67 students between the ages of 15 and 19 died.
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2024-09-10 20:22:58