At least 16 students have died following a fire outbreak at a boarding school in Gilgil, Kenya, authorities confirmed on Thursday.
The fire reportedly broke out in the early hours of the morning at Utumishi Girls Academy, located about 120 kilometres north-west of Nairobi, while students were asleep in their dormitories.
Kenya’s Education Minister, Julius Ogamba, said dozens of other students were injured in the incident. According to him, 71 students who sustained injuries were treated and discharged, while seven others remain hospitalized for further medical care.
Authorities say the blaze started on the first floor of one of the school dormitories, which was completely destroyed before emergency teams were able to put out the fire around 3am local time.
Police and rescue officials have launched investigations into the cause of the fire, while search efforts continue for some students who reportedly fled the scene in panic during the chaos.
Parents and relatives gathered outside the school seeking information about their children, with many expressing fear and frustration over delays in communication from school authorities.
Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen described the incident as a tragic moment for the country and called for calm while investigations continue.
School fires have become a recurring problem in Kenya over the years, with overcrowding, poor safety measures, and cases of arson often blamed for the high number of casualties.
Officials say more than 800 students were in the school when the fire broke out.
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