At least 16 students were killed and dozens more injured after a devastating fire swept through a dormitory at a girls’ boarding school in Gilgil, central Kenya, early Thursday morning.
Authorities said the fire broke out around 1:00 a.m. while students were asleep inside the dormitory, which reportedly housed about 220 pupils. Emergency responders and police officers battled the flames for hours before bringing the situation under control.
Education officials confirmed that 79 students sustained injuries during the incident. While most victims received treatment and were discharged, several others remained hospitalized for further medical care.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and confusion as students rushed to escape the burning building. Reports indicated that some students suffered injuries after jumping from the upper floor to save themselves from the fast-spreading fire.
Government officials have launched investigations into the cause of the blaze and possible safety failures at the school. The incident has renewed concerns over fire safety standards in Kenyan boarding schools, following several deadly dormitory fires recorded in recent years.
