Tragedy Strikes: 17 Pupils Perish in Kenyan School Fire

At least 17 pupils have died in a fire at Hillside Endarasha Primary School in Nyeri County, central Kenya. The blaze broke out on Thursday night. Authorities fear the death toll may rise as over a dozen students were hospitalized with severe burns.

Police spokesperson Resila Onyango stated that the cause of the fire is under investigation. A team of investigators has been sent to the site to determine the circumstances of the incident.

The Kenya Red Cross is providing psychosocial support to affected pupils, teachers, and families. They have also set up a tracing desk at the school to help locate those affected by the fire.

School fires are not uncommon in Kenya, especially in boarding schools. In 2017, an arson attack at Moi Girls High School in Nairobi killed 10 students. The deadliest school arson in Kenya’s history occurred over 20 years ago in Machakos County, where 67 students lost their lives.

This is a developing story, and further updates are expected.