A tragic fire at Hillside Endarasha Primary School in Nyeri County, central Kenya, has claimed the lives of at least 17 pupils. The blaze, which broke out on Thursday night, left over a dozen other students hospitalised with severe burns. Authorities fear the death toll may rise as investigations into the cause of the fire continue.
Resila Onyango, a police spokesperson, confirmed that a team of investigators has been deployed to determine the origin of the fire. Meanwhile, the Kenya Red Cross has set up a tracing desk at the school and is offering psychosocial support to affected students, teachers, and families.
School fires are not uncommon in Kenya, particularly in boarding schools. In 2017, an arson attack at Moi Girls High School in Nairobi resulted in the deaths of 10 students. The deadliest school fire in the country occurred over 20 years ago in Machakos County, where 67 students lost their lives.
More details shortly…
Melissa Enoch
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