By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
DNA testing will commence on Monday to identify the remains of at least 21 children who tragically died in a fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Kenya. The fire, which erupted in a dormitory housing 156 boys late Thursday night, left many bodies burned beyond recognition. “It is truly devastating for the nation to lose such a number of young and promising Kenyans.
Our hearts are heavy,” said government spokesman Isaac Mwaura. Authorities report that 17 children remain unaccounted for, with families anxiously awaiting news. The cause of the fire is still unknown, but the chief prosecutor has called for investigators to “assess whether or not the tragedy may have resulted from negligence and/or recklessness.”
Mwaura urged the media not to “rush to make conclusions about the numbers” as DNA testing will take time. This incident has reignited concerns about safety in Kenyan schools, with many failing to meet safety standards, as highlighted by past tragedies. President William Ruto has declared a three-day national mourning period.
Source: BBC News
