Pope Francis has shared a message in response to the fire tragedy that happened at Hillside Academy in Endarasha, Nyeri County claiming the lives of at least 17 learners.
The Pope sent a message on Saturday, September 7, to express his condolences to the victims’ families.
The telegram was signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and sent to Archbishop Anthony Muheria, the Archbishop of Nyeri.
Pope Francis said he was “deeply saddened” to learn of the loss of young lives.
He expressed his “spiritual closeness to all who are suffering the effects of this calamity, especially the injured and the families who grieve.”
In addition, Pope Francis 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.”
Pope Francis Responds to Hillside School Fire
He concluded the telegram by invoking upon everyone affected “the Lord’s blessings of strength, peace, and consolation.”
Also Read: Meet Sister Ida Lagonegro: Italian Nun Who Organized Pope Francis Visit to Kenya
Pope Francis is currently in Papua New Guinea as he continues the second stage of his 45th Apostolic Journey abroad, which is taking him to Asia and Oceania.
His message came after a fire broke out in a dormitory at the Hillside Endarasha Primary School on Thursday night, killing at least 17 children and leaving fourteen nursing serious burn injuries, with 70 others still unaccounted for.
According to Education Principal Secretary Dr. Belio Kipsang, the dormitory housed over 150 boys between the ages of 10 and 14.
Earlier, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga had issued a statement on the tragic fire incident.
Investigations
DPP Igonga said that he has asked the Inspector General of Police (IG) to conduct a thorough and comprehensive investigation to determine the circumstances that led to the deadly fire.
Also Read: Nyeri Fire: Education Ministry Reveals Details of School Where 17 Pupils Died
Also, the IG has been directed to assess whether or not the tragedy may have resulted from negligence and/or recklessness of any responsibility holders, and to forward the file to the DPP for a review towards making the decision to charge.
This is in line with the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, which guarantees every child’s right to education, safety, and protection from all forms of harm.
“The DPP assures the public that any person found culpable towards the fire tragedy shall be expediently taken through the due process of criminal trial,” the statement reads.
DPP Ingonga expressed his deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the victims of the tragedy and wished a quick recovery to all students who sustained burn injuries.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel for real-time news updates!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaB3k54HltYFiQ1f2i2C
