17 students die in school fire, 13 others sustain severe burns
At least 17 pupils have tragically lost their lives after a devastating fire engulfed a dormitory at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County, central Kenya.
The fire, which broke out around midnight, claimed the lives of children who were asleep at the time of the incident.
Police confirmed the fatalities and described the scene as catastrophic, with bodies burnt beyond recognition.
The national police spokesperson, Resila Onyango, stated, “There are 17 fatalities from this incident, and several others were rushed to hospital with severe injuries.”
She also revealed that 16 students were critically injured and had been transported to a nearby hospital for urgent medical care.
The authorities have yet to determine the cause of the fire, but an investigation has already been launched.
Onyango mentioned that the situation is still unfolding, and more bodies may be recovered as the scene is fully processed.
Witnesses described a chaotic and heartbreaking situation as the fire ravaged the dormitory, trapping students inside.
“We woke up to the sounds of cries and the terrifying sight of flames consuming the building,” said a local resident.
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Emergency services arrived swiftly, but the intensity of the fire made rescue operations difficult.
Parents of the victims are devastated, many of them rushing to the scene in hopes of finding their children safe.
However, with the confirmation of fatalities, the mood quickly shifted to one of mourning and disbelief.
In light of this tragedy, there are growing calls for better safety measures in schools, particularly in boarding facilities, where such incidents have occurred before.
Many are questioning the preparedness of schools to handle emergencies and are urging the government to take swift action to prevent future disasters.
This tragic event has left the entire nation in shock, with messages of condolences pouring in from across Kenya and beyond. Kenyan authorities have vowed to uncover the cause of the fire and bring justice to the families affected.
As investigations continue, parents, students, and citizens wait anxiously for answers and hope that such a tragedy will never be repeated.
