Tragedy Strikes Kenya as School Fire Kills at Least 18 Students
A devastating fire ripped through a school dormitory in central Kenya on Thursday, leaving a trail of destruction and heartbreak in its wake. The blaze, which occurred at Hillside Endarasha Primary school in Nyeri County, claimed the lives of at least 18 students, with many more still unaccounted for.
The fire, which started on Thursday night, spread quickly through the dormitory, which housed over 150 boys aged 10 to 14. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the blaze, but so far, no explanation has been found.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the community, with anxious parents waiting at the school on Friday to learn the fate of their children. Of the 150 students who were in the dormitory, 37 have been reunited with their families, leaving 70 children still missing.
Kenya’s Vice President, Rigathi Gachagua, has appealed to community members who may have sheltered some of the missing children to come forward and help account for them.
The tragedy has also raised concerns about the safety of school buildings in Kenya. The country’s education ministry has guidelines in place for school dormitories, which include requirements for spacious rooms, emergency exits, and fire safety equipment. However, it is unclear whether these guidelines were followed at Hillside school.
The fire has left the community in mourning, with President William Ruto declaring three days of national mourning starting Monday. The country’s flags will be flown at half-staff during this period as a mark of respect for the children who lost their lives.
The incident has also sparked memories of Kenya’s deadliest school fire in recent history, which occurred in 2001 and killed 67 students. As the country comes to terms with this latest tragedy, many are calling for increased attention to school safety and fire prevention measures.
