The DNA results for the 21 bodies recovered from the tragic fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy have been released.
According to Chief Government Pathologist Dr Johansen Oduor, all bodies have been successfully identified through DNA samples provided by the victims’ families.
Speaking to the media at Narumoru Level 4 Hospital on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, Oduor announced the conclusion of the DNA identification process, which confirmed that the remains of all 21 boys matched samples collected from their parents.
“We have the pleasure to announce that we have received the DNA results of the 21 victims of the Endarasha fire tragedy. All 21 students have been identified through DNA. We are now in the process of contacting the relatives so they can come and reunite with their loved ones as we prepare for the next process. The samples matched with the samples given by parents,” Oduor stated.
The postmortem examinations began on Thursday at Narumoru Level 4 Hospital.
The government announced that by late Thursday, September 12, 2024 evening, at least 10 bodies had been examined. The autopsy procedures, led by Dr Oduor and assisted by other forensic experts, aimed to determine the exact cause of death for the victims.
According to authorities, the tragedy occurred when a fire broke out in a dormitory at Hillside Endarasha Academy around 11:00 pm on September 5, 2024, claiming the lives of 21 boys and leaving at least 14 others injured.
Authorities’ statistics
In an update by DCI on Thursday, September 12, 2024, the dormitory housed 164 registered boarders.
However, on the night of the tragic incident, only 156 boys were in the dormitory, as eight had not yet returned to school.
“According to our information, 164 boys were registered in the boarding section. On the night of the fire, 156 boys were inside the dormitory, as eight had not yet reported back,” the DCI confirmed.
The blaze quickly swept through the wooden dormitory, tragically claiming the lives of 19 boys who were inside. Additionally, two more boys succumbed to their injuries while receiving medical care at the hospital.
DCI confirmed that 140 boys, including the eight who were absent during the fire, have been safely accounted for and are now with their families. Five boys were hospitalized following the incident, with two of them tragically losing their lives due to severe injuries, while three remain under medical care.
“So far, 140 boys are confirmed to be with their families, including the eight who had not reported to school,” the DCI stated.
“Of the five boys hospitalized, two succumbed to their injuries. Three others are still receiving treatment. The toll stands at 21, including 19 bodies recovered from the dormitory and two who died in the hospital.”
Investigators are still examining the cause of the fire, exploring possible factors such as electrical faults.