Pope Francis Condoles With Kenyans After Hillside Endarasha School Fire: "Deeply Saddened"

• The fire tragedy that killed 18 learners at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri county has depressed the world
• Pope Francis is the latest eminent person to share in the grief of the bereaved parents and guardians
• He sent a message of condolence to them and prayed for the departed souls; 13 learners are still in the hospital

Pope Francis has conveyed his condolences to Kenya after the Hillside Endarasha Academy fire tragedy that claimed at least 18 lives.

Pope Francis' message after Endarasha fire tragedy

In a communique posted on the official news portal, Vatican News, the Pope expressed sympathies to the bereaved, sharing in their grief following the tragedy in Nyeri county.

He said;

"I am deeply saddened to learn of the loss of young lives. My spiritual closeness to all who are suffering the effects of this calamity, especially the injured and the families who grieve.”

The Pope commended the souls of the dead to the “loving mercy of Almighty God” and offered his “prayers for the personnel and the civil authorities who continue to provide assistance.”

He later invoked upon everyone affected the Lord’s blessings of strength, peace, and consolation.

How Kenyans will mourn deceased Endarasha students

In the meantime, President William Ruto announced a three-day national mourning period to honour the deceased children.

In a solemn proclamation on Friday, September 6, Ruto expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the young students, aged between 9 and 13, who perished in the fire.

The head of state extended heartfelt condolences to the affected families, calling the tragedy an "unfathomable" loss.

He decreed that in sympathy and honour of the memory of the innocent lives lost and those who were injured, the country would go into a three-day period of mourning.

The president directed that during the mourning period, the national flag and the East African Community (EAC) flag be flown at half-mast at all public institutions, military bases, and Kenyan diplomatic missions worldwide

The period would run from Monday, September 9, to Wednesday, September 11, 2024.

All about Hillside Endarasha Academy fire tragedy

• The National Police spokesperson Resila Onyango confirmed that the fire broke out in a dormitory within the school.
• In its statement later, the Ministry of Education confirmed that the ill-fated dormitory had housed 156 male learners.
• The police said 16 learners perished at the scene, with two others succumbing to the burn injuries while in hospital.
• President William Ruto ordered the Ministry of Interior to undertake a thorough probe to establish the cause of the fire

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

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Paremts at Endarasha Academy.

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