Arabic version: حريق مأساوي يودي بحياة 16 طالبة في مدرسة كينية
According to ABC News,
A devastating fire at a girls’ secondary school in Kenya has resulted in the deaths of at least 16 students and left 79 others injured. The incident occurred at the Utumishi Girls’ Academy Senior School in Gilgil in west-central Kenya, shortly after midnight on Thursday, according to Education Minister Julius Migos.
The fire, which lasted over two hours, reportedly began when a student ignited a mattress in the dormitory. Eyewitness accounts indicate that many students were trapped on the upper floor of the building, with some forced to jump from windows in a desperate attempt to escape. Local residents reported seeing children in distress as they attempted to flee the flames.
While investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the fire, Minister Migos urged the public to refrain from speculation. Survivors have recounted that the doors on the second floor were locked when the fire broke out, complicating escape efforts.
This tragic incident is not isolated; school fires are a recurring issue in Kenya, with more than 100 recorded in 2024 alone. Many of these fires have been linked to student protests against harsh disciplinary measures and poor living conditions. The community is now mourning the loss of young lives as families gather outside the school seeking information about their loved ones.
