At least 16 students have lost their lives following a fire outbreak at a boarding school in Gilgil, about 120 kilometres north-west of Nairobi, Kenya’s capital.
The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday at Utumishi Girls Academy while the students were asleep in their dormitory.
According to Kenyan authorities, dozens of other students sustained injuries during the incident. Education Minister Julius Ogamba, who visited the scene, disclosed that 71 injured students had been treated and discharged, while seven others remained hospitalised for further medical attention.
Ogamba explained that the fire started on the first floor of one of the school’s dormitories, which was completely destroyed before emergency responders succeeded in putting out the blaze around 3:00 a.m.
He added that investigations were ongoing to determine the exact cause of the fire.
Anxious parents and relatives gathered at the school premises awaiting information about their children and loved ones.
Kenya’s Interior Minister, Kipchumba Murkomen, described the incident as painful and heartbreaking, extending condolences to the affected families.
“This is a very anxious moment. We stand with the families in prayer and support,” he said while urging the public to avoid speculation as investigations continue.
Police commander Masoud Mwinyi also described the incident as “sad and distressing,” noting that some students fled into nearby communities during the confusion and panic caused by the fire.
Authorities said the dormitory housed about 220 students, while more than 800 students were on the school premises at the time of the incident.
School fires have remained a recurring challenge in Kenya over the years, with overcrowded dormitories, poor safety measures and cases of arson often blamed for such tragedies.
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