Eight students arrested over 'suspected arson attack' at Kenyan girls' school: police
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Nairobi: Eight students have been detained in Kenya following a suspected arson attack at Utumishi Girls' Academy in Gilgil, which resulted in the tragic deaths of 16 students. The fire, which broke out shortly after midnight on Thursday, tore through a dormitory housing teenagers aged 15 to 18, sparking a mass casualty event that left an additional 79 students injured.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), 30 students were initially questioned before eight were formally arrested on Friday morning. Forensic teams are currently reviewing available CCTV footage and recording statements from teaching staff and witnesses.
While the official motive remains under investigation, survivors reported that the blaze began after a student intentionally lit a mattress with a match.
Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed that DNA testing is underway to identify the victims, as many bodies were burnt beyond recognition. This tragedy has reignited national concerns over the recurring trend of deliberate fires in Kenyan boarding schools, often attributed to disciplinary disputes or protests.
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