Parents of missing students remain gathered outside the school, holding on to hope that their children are still alive. This follows a tragic fire that claimed the lives of at least 17 students when a dormitory caught fire at an elementary school in central Kenya.
The incident took place at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Kieni, Nyeri County. According to authorities, 14 others were injured, and the severity of the burns on the victims’ bodies has made identification difficult.
Authorities are actively investigating the cause of the fire.
Kenya’s Ministry of Education confirmed that 824 students were enrolled at the school, comprising 402 boys and 422 girls. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also reported that 70 children are still missing.
Hillside Endarasha Academy is a private primary school located near Nyeri town, approximately 150 kilometers (93 miles) north of Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.