Tragic School Fire in Central Kenya Leaves Dozens Dead and Missing

A devastating fire at Hillside Endarasha Primary School in central Kenya resulted in the death of 18 boys, with 27 hospitalized and 70 still unaccounted for. The government has declared three days of mourning, urging stricter safety regulations in boarding schools. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Tragedy struck Hillside Endarasha Primary School in central Kenya as officials began removing the bodies of children who perished in a devastating fire.

On Saturday, a team of morticians from Nyeri provincial hospital set up tables outside the dormitory, while journalists were asked to wait outside the school compound. The fire, which occurred on Thursday night, has claimed the lives of 18 boys aged 10 to 14, left 27 hospitalized, and resulted in 70 boys still unaccounted for.

President William Ruto declared three days of mourning as police continued to investigate the cause. Parents who waited all day for news were finally allowed to view the dormitory remnants on Friday evening, with many breaking down in grief. The government has called for stricter enforcement of boarding guidelines to prevent such tragedies, noting that school fires in Kenya are often linked to arson, drug abuse, and overcrowding.

In the past, such incidents have resulted in significant casualties, including a 2017 fire in Nairobi that killed 10 high school students, and Kenya's deadliest school fire in 2001, which claimed 67 lives in Machakos county.

(With inputs from agencies.)