It is a sad day in central Kenya as at least 17 children reportedly lost their lives in a fire incident that occurred in a Kenyan primary school, News About Nigeria reports.
The spokesperson of the Kenyan national police, Resila Onyango, disclosed this on Friday.
The fire reportedly broke out in Nyeri County’s Hillside Endarasha Academy dormitory around midnight and engulfed the rooms while the children were sleeping.
At least 17 children have been confirmed dead in the primary school in central Kenya, while 16 others with various degrees of burns and injuries have been rushed to the hospital for treatment.
Onyango also placed the average age of the victims at about 9, adding that their bodies were burnt beyond recognition.
She stated that more bodies are likely to be recovered when the evacuation process is completed.
The cause of the fire still remains unknown at this time, but an investigation has commenced into unravelling the reason behind the fire outbreak.
Kenyan President, William Ruto, has expressed his condolences for those killed.
“Our thoughts are with the families of the children who have lost their lives in the fire tragedy,” he stated.
He has also ordered an investigation into the incident, promising that those behind it will be severely punished.
He noted that no parent deserves to experience the kind of pain and heartbreak the parents of the victims are currently experiencing.
The Kenyan Red Cross is reportedly on the ground to assist in the evacuation, and is providing psychosocial support services to the pupils, teachers, and affected families.
This is, however, not the only fire outbreak in a Kenyan school.
In 2016, nine students were killed by a fire at a girls’ high school in the Kibera neighbourhood of Nairobi.
