A devastating overnight fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, Kenya, has tragically killed 16 students and left 79 others injured.
According to the Kenya Red Cross, the fire broke out around 1:00 AM on Thursday but went unreported for nearly two and a half hours until 3:30 AM.
The pre-dawn inferno rapidly tore through a packed dormitory housing over 200 sleeping students, leaving dozens injured and rushed to nearby hospitals.
Emergency teams were deployed after the blaze broke out at the school, with at least 15 students initially feared dead.
Police later said the number of fatalities is estimated at about 16, while an unknown number of injured students were rushed to various medical facilities with injuries of varying severity and are reported to be in stable condition.
In a statement, Kenya Red Cross said: “Following a fire incident reported at around 3:30am at Utumishi Girls Academy in Nakuru County, Kenya Red Cross responded to support the ongoing emergency response.”
They added: “Our first responders, @EMS_Kenya ambulance crew and our psychosocial support personnel are currently on the ground supporting affected students alongside other responders and relevant authorities.”
Response operations are ongoing as emergency teams assess the situation and support affected students. Authorities have not yet released further details as investigations into the cause of the fire continue.
President William Ruto has mourned the students who lost their lives.
In a statement on Thursday, the President said the country was united in grief with families, teachers, and students affected by the devastating fire.
“Our hearts and prayers are with the families who have lost their beloved daughters in the tragic fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil,” Ruto said.
“No words can truly ease the pain of losing young lives filled with promise, hope, and dreams for the future.”
The President said the government’s immediate focus was on rescuing those affected, ensuring treatment for the injured, and supporting families impacted by the incident.
“Our immediate attention is focused on the rescue of those affected, the treatment of the injured, and support for their families, while investigations continue into the cause of the fire. As a nation, we mourn with the parents, guardians, teachers, and fellow students who are enduring this unimaginable tragedy,” he said.
