Latest news 17 dead in Kenyan school dormitory fire
A fire in a dormitory of a boarding school near Nyeri, Kenya, has claimed the lives of 17 boys. According to the authorities, the fire broke out in the boys' dormitory at around midnight.
06.09.2024, 15:31
06.09.2024, 15:32
SDA
At least 14 children were taken to hospital. The cause of the fire is not yet known.
The number of victims could be even higher - it initially remained unclear how many of the 156 pupils in the wing were in the burning building, as numerous children presumably fled the site in panic. "We are trying to clarify the whereabouts of every child," said a representative of the Ministry of Education. All children should also be examined in hospital as a precautionary measure before they are allowed to go home.
In rural areas in particular, many pupils attend boarding schools because the journey to the nearest school would otherwise be too far. In the past, there have been repeated fatal fires at such schools, where a large number of children often share a room. Following the incidents in the past, the regulations were tightened. For example, no dormitory may be locked from the outside and there must be clearly recognizable evacuation routes for emergencies.
