Tragedy in Gilgil: 16 Students Killed in Dormitory Fire
Incident
A devastating fire at Utumishi Girls' Academy Senior School in Gilgil, Kenya, has left 16 students dead and 79 others injured. The blaze started just after midnight on Thursday local time and raged for over two hours.
"The fire started just after midnight and burned for over two hours."
Casualties
- 16 students died in the fire.
- 79 students were injured; 71 have since been discharged from hospital.
- The students affected are aged between 15 and 18 years old.
Investigation
Education Minister Julius Migos stated that the cause of the fire has not yet been identified. Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen urged the public against speculation while the investigation is ongoing.
However, one first responder reported that survivors said a student lit a mattress with a match. The motive behind the alleged act remains unknown.
Response
Hundreds of family members have gathered at the school, anxiously awaiting news. Local residents played a key role in rescue efforts. This tragedy is part of a wider pattern of school fires in Kenya, with over 100 school fires recorded in 2024, many of which were reportedly set by students protesting conditions.