Nairobi.At least 17 children have died and 14 others have been injured in a fire at a primary school in central Kenya, police said Friday.
The fire, which started around midnight when most students were asleep, razed the Hillside Endarasha Academy boarding school in Kieni, Nyeri County.
“We have 17 students dead and 14 injured. We are investigating the cause and taking the necessary measures,” confirmed the spokesperson for the National Police Service, Resila Onyango, in statements reported by local media.
“Sixteen children were burned beyond recognition, while another died on the way to hospital,” Onyango said.
Parents, teachers and officials from the Criminal Investigation Department (DCI) of the Police visited the school, which has more than 800 students, this morning to investigate the tragedy.
Kenyan President William Ruto expressed regret at the tragedy and ordered an investigation. “Our thoughts are with the families of the children who lost their lives in the fire tragedy at the Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County. This is devastating news,” he said.
He continued: “We pray for a speedy recovery for the survivors. I instruct the relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate this horrific incident. Those responsible will be held accountable.”
He added that the government is “mobilizing all necessary resources to support the affected families.”
Former Prime Minister and Opposition Leader Raila Odinga also sent his “deepest condolences to the families, friends and school fraternity who lost their loved ones in the devastating tragedy of the Hillside Endarasha Academy fire” in a message posted on X.
The tragedy evoked memories of other fires that have claimed lives in Kenyan schools in the past, such as the 2001 disaster at the Kyanguli Secondary School boarding school in Machakos county, bordering Nairobi.
In that incident, which was intentionally caused by two students, 67 students aged between 15 and 19 died.
Another fire broke out in 1998 at a boarding school at Bombolulu Girls’ Secondary School in Kwale County (south), killing 26 girls.Infobae.
#Tragedy #Kenya #children #died #injured #fire #school
2024-09-10 02:51:08
What measures are being taken to investigate the cause of the fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy and ensure accountability for the tragedy?
Table of Contents
Tragedy Strikes Hillside Endarasha Academy: Fire Claims 21 Lives in Central Kenya
A devastating fire has ravaged the Hillside Endarasha Academy boarding school in Kieni, Nyeri County, Kenya, leaving at least 21 children dead and 14 others injured. The blaze, which started around midnight when most students were asleep, has sent shockwaves throughout the country, prompting an outpouring of grief and condolences from top officials and citizens alike.
Investigations Underway
The cause of the fire remains unknown, but police are pursuing a theory of an electrical fault, specifically a bulb explosion, as the main cause of the blaze [[3]]. Parents have also spoken about how sparks from a bulb near the main door of the dormitory could have sparked the fire [[1]]. The authorities are investigating the incident, and President William Ruto has instructed the relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate the horrific incident and hold those responsible accountable [[2]].
Response from Authorities
The government has pledged to provide all necessary support to the affected families, with President Ruto expressing his regret at the tragedy and promising a speedy investigation [[2]]. Former Prime Minister and Opposition Leader Raila Odinga has also sent his condolences to the families, friends, and school fraternity who lost their loved ones in the devastating tragedy [[2]].
Aftermath of the Tragedy
The Hillside Endarasha Academy, which has over 800 students, was left in ruins, with many students either killed or injured in the blaze. The school’s dormitory was razed to the ground, leaving many students without a place to call home. The incident has left the entire nation in shock, with many calling for improved safety measures in schools across the country.
Conclusion
The fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy is a tragedy of immense proportions, one that has left countless lives shattered and a nation in mourning. As the investigation continues, it is essential that we learn from this incident and take concrete steps to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims, and we hope that justice will be served in the days to come.
References:
[[1]]https://www.citizen.digital/news/hillside-endarasha-academy-just-what-caused-the-dormitory-fire-n349136
[[2]]https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cje2jnlldgvo
[[3]]https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2024-09-09-hillside-academy-fire-tragedy-cops-focus-on-electrical-fault/
What caused the deadly fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County, Kenya?
Tragedy Strikes Hillside Endarasha Academy: 21 Lives Lost in Devastating Fire
A devastating fire swept through the dormitory of Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County, Kenya, claiming the lives of 21 students and leaving 14 others injured. The tragedy, which occurred in the early hours of the morning when most students were asleep, has sent shockwaves throughout the country.
The Cause of the Fire
Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing, but preliminary reports suggest that an electrical fault may have been the culprit. According to [[3]], police are pursuing a theory of bulb explosion as the main cause of the fire. A parent of one of the students also spoke about how sparks from a bulb near the main door of the dormitory could have caused the fire [[2]].
The Aftermath
The fire, which started around midnight, razed the boarding school’s dormitory, leaving a trail of destruction and despair in its wake. Parents, teachers, and officials from the Criminal Investigation Department (DCI) of the Police visited the school to investigate the tragedy.
Kenyan President William Ruto expressed regret at the tragedy and ordered a thorough investigation into the incident. “Our thoughts are with the families of the children who lost their lives in the fire tragedy at the Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County. This is devastating news,” he said.
Visual Representation of the Tragedy
A video posted on Facebook shows the devastating effects of the fire, with the dormitory reduced to ashes [[1]].
Investigation and Accountability
The relevant authorities have been instructed to thoroughly investigate the incident, and those found responsible will be held accountable. The investigation is ongoing, and the cause of the fire will be determined in due course.
Our Thoughts and Prayers
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims, the students, and the staff of Hillside Endarasha Academy during this difficult time. We pray for a speedy recovery for the survivors and hope that the investigation will bring some closure to those affected by this tragedy.
Note: The article is optimized for SEO with relevant keywords, meta descriptions, and header tags.
