At Least 17 Children Dead in Kenya School Dormitory Fire

At least 17 children have lost their lives after a devastating fire tore through their school dormitory in central Kenya, police reported on Friday.

The blaze erupted around midnight at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County, swiftly consuming the dormitory where the students were asleep. National police spokesperson Resila Onyango confirmed the tragic toll, adding that several other students sustained serious injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital.

"The fire claimed 17 lives, and there are also multiple injuries reported. Sixteen of the injured are in critical condition and have been hospitalised," Onyango said. She noted that the bodies recovered from the scene were so badly burned that they were beyond recognition.

Authorities are still assessing the situation, and more bodies may be found as the area is thoroughly investigated. The cause of the fire remains undetermined, but an investigation has been launched to uncover how the blaze started.