At least 16 students were killed in a devastating fire at a girls’ boarding school in Kenya, the East African nation. The fire broke out at the Utumishi Girls’ school in the Gilgil area, about 120 km (77 miles) west of the capital Nairobi, a police officer at the scene told reporters. Another 74 injured students are being treated in hospitals, the officer said.
According to the Kenya Red Cross and police, the fire started early Thursday while the students were asleep.
Police said a rescue operation was under way and the cause of the fire had not been confirmed. The Kenya Red Cross said emergency rescue teams were at the scene providing full assistance.
Police said the fire started around 1 a.m. local time and quickly spread to a dormitory block that housed about 220 students.
Commander Mueni said an investigation was under way. The school area has been cordoned off, with only parents allowed inside.
This is not the first fire at a Kenyan boarding school; several deadly blazes have been reported in recent years.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report