Pope Francis mourns tragic loss of lives at Hillside Academy

The pontiff prayed for the Lord's blessings and strength during this difficult time.

In Summary
  • As of Saturday evening, the death toll of the boys who perished in the fire had risen to 21.

  • Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura said 19 bodies were recovered from the scene while two more pupils succumbed to their injuries in hospital.

Pope Francis.
Pope Francis.

Pope Francis has mourned the loss of 21 boys at the Hillside Endarasha Academy through a tragic fire incident.

The Pope said he was saddened to receive the news of the tragedy and condoled with the friends and families of the victims.

In his condolences through a letter addressed to President William Ruto, Pope Francis prayed for the Lord's blessings and strength during this difficult time.

The letter was delivered via the Apostolic Nunciature (Embassy of the Holy See) in Kenya. 

"His Holiness Pope Francis was deeply saddened to be informed of the loss of the young lives that occurred during a fire at the Hillside Endarasha academy in the County of Nyeri and expresses his spiritual closeness to all who are suffering the effects of this calamity, especially the injured and the families who grieve," the embassy said.

"He commends the souls of the deceased to the loving Mercy of Almighty God and offers his prayers for the personnel and the civil authorities who continue to provide assistance. Upon all, the holy Father invokes the Lord's blessings of strength, peace and consolation."

As of Saturday evening, the death toll of the boys who perished in the fire had risen to 21.

Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura said 19 bodies were recovered from the scene while two more pupils succumbed to their injuries in hospital.

The pupils died after a fire broke out in a dormitory at the school around 11 pm on Thursday.

On Friday, Ruto mourned the pupils saying the loss of children of tender years in such a manner is an unfathomable tragedy.

The President declared a three-day national mourning period and directed that the Kenyan and the East African Community (EAC) flags be flown at half-mast during the mourning period.

The flags will be flown half half-mast from dawn on Monday, September 9, 2024, until sunset on Wednesday, September 11, 2024.

This will be done at the State House, all Kenyan diplomatic Missions, public buildings, public grounds, all military bases, posts, stations, all Naval vessels of the Republic of Kenya and throughout the entire territory of the Republic of Kenya.

Ruto also condoled with families that lost their children in the inferno.

"As they mourn and grieve, we commit them to the love and grace of the Almighty, for only He can give them the strength and healing that they need in this darkest hour of their lives."

The President sympathised with the students who survived the incident and the 14 boys who sustained injuries.

"The outpouring of grief across the country and beyond our borders reflects our shared humanity," he said.

According to the President, the children who perished were between the ages of nine and 13, in Grades 4 to 8.

Ruto said the loss evokes a unique sense of anger, bitterness, sorrow and emptiness.

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