The Pope, who is head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State, sent his message on Saturday, September 7, expressing his condolences to the victims’ families.
The news regarding the tragic fire that engulfed Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County, claiming the lives of 18 students, has spread across the world, and now made Pope Francis become the latest global voice to express his profound sorrow over the disaster.
The Pope, who is head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State, sent his message on Saturday, September 7, expressing his condolences to the victims’ families.
As reported by Vatican News, a telegram was signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and sent to Archbishop Anthony Muheria, the Archbishop of Nyeri, with the Pope saying he was “deeply saddened” to learn of the loss of young lives.
He also expressed his “spiritual closeness to all who are suffering the effects of this calamity, especially the injured and the families who grieve.”
Scene at Hillside Endarasha Academy following a fire tragedy on September 6, 2024. /MACHARIA WANGUI
“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.”
“He concluded the telegram by invoking upon everyone affected “the Lord’s blessings of strength, peace, and consolation.”,” Vatican News‘ article read in part.
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.
The fire, which broke out on Thursday night, ravaged a boys’ dormitory at the school, housing over 150 boys aged between 10 and 14.
Eyewitness reports described a scene of chaos as the flames rapidly consumed the dormitory, leaving little room for escape. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with authorities yet to release an official statement on the origin of the blaze.
As rescue efforts continue, 70 students remain unaccounted for, intensifying fears that the death toll could rise.
Earlier, President William Ruto, who is on an official visit to China, declared three days of national mourning following the devastating inferno, a period that is set to begin on Monday, September 9, and conclude on Wednesday, September 11.
“Now therefore, in deep sympathy and honour of the memory of these innocent lives lost and those who were injured in this tragedy, I, WILLIAM SAMOEI RUTO, under the authority vested in me as President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT,” Ruto announced in a heartfelt statement late on Friday, September 6.
“That, as a solemn testament to the indelible mark left upon the nation’s consciousness by the spirits of the seventeen departed children, Kenya shall observe a three-day period of national mourning.”
Further, Ruto directed that during the period of national mourning, the Flag of the Republic of Kenya and that of the East African Community (EAC) shall be flown at half-mast.
This shall apply at 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,
The directive will start at dawn on Monday, September 9, 2024, until sunset on Wednesday, September 11, 2024.
The President expressed the collective heartache of the nation, extending his deepest condolences to the families who lost their children in the fire, acknowledging the profound pain of losing children so young, between the ages of 9 and 13 and grades 4 to 8, noting the unique sense of anger and emptiness that such a tragedy evokes.
President William Ruto speaking at State House, Nairobi on July 11, 2024. /PCS
