AT LEAST 17 students have died after a horror fire broke out at a primary school in Kenya overnight.
Officials fear the death toll could rise as at least 13 other people have been rushed to hospital with severe burns.
Stock image of firefighters fighting a blaze
An image of the school in Nyeri country, Kenya
Cops have launched an investigation into what sparked the blaze at the Hillside Endarasha Primary school in Nyeri county.
Police spokesperson Resila Onyango said: “There are 17 fatalities from this incident and there are also others who were taken to hospital with serious injuries.
“The bodies recovered at the scene were burnt beyond recognition.
“We are investigating the cause and will take necessary action.
“More bodies are likely to be recovered once (the) scene is fully processed,” she added.
A team of investigators has been deployed to the school.
According to some reports, as many as 16 of the students were seriously injured and are recieving medical treatment in hospital.
Nyeri County is located in central Kenya.
Fires are reportedly common at boarding schools in Kenya where many pupils live so they can study without long commutes.
In 2017, some 10 students died in a fire at their school in Nairobi.
And at least 67 students died in the deadliest Kenyan school fire over 20 years ago in Machakos Country, south-east of Nairobi.
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