Nyeri, Kenya – The death toll from a tragic fire that ripped through a dormitory at Hillside Endarasha Primary School in central Kenya has risen to at least 21, authorities confirmed on Saturday. The blaze, which broke out after midnight on Thursday, claimed the lives of 19 students at the scene, while two more succumbed to their injuries in hospital.
The fire engulfed the dormitory housing 156 boys aged between 10 and 14 as they slept. According to police, the wooden construction of the building allowed the flames to spread rapidly, trapping many children inside. While more than 100 students have been accounted for, around 70 remain unaccounted for. Authorities fear the death toll could rise further, though they remain hopeful that some missing students may have gone home with their families for the night.
Government pathologist Johansen Oduor said the extent of the burns has made it impossible for parents to identify the bodies. DNA testing is expected to begin today, though officials warn it could take days to complete the identification process.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with authorities having sealed off the site for forensic analysis. Police spokesperson Resila Onyango said the investigation is ongoing, and no conclusions have been drawn at this time.
As the nation struggles with the tragedy, President William Ruto has declared a three-day national mourning period, starting Monday, during which flags will be flown at half-mast in honor of the victims. “I instruct relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate this horrific incident. Those responsible will be held to account,” the president said on the social media platform X.
Parents of the affected children have expressed frustration over the lack of information, with many still waiting anxiously to be reunited with their children. Authorities have urged anyone who may have rescued students during the blaze to bring them back to help with the search and identification process.
The Kenyan Red Cross reported that another fire broke out at a girls’ boarding school in Isiolo town, also in central Kenya, just days after the Nyeri tragedy. The fire destroyed dormitories and left three students injured before it was contained.
School fires have become increasingly common in Kenya’s boarding schools, with arson, overcrowding, and poor safety standards often cited as causes. The education ministry has previously issued guidelines requiring dormitories to be spacious, with three doors and no window grills to ensure quick evacuation in the event of an emergency.
The country’s deadliest school fire occurred in 2001 in Machakos County, where 67 students perished in a dormitory blaze.
As investigations continue, the government has vowed to provide support to the affected families, with resources being mobilized to assist those who have lost loved ones in this devastating incident.
Local authorities are continuing efforts to account for the 70 missing children.
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