Turbo: 3 Pupils Killed as Toilet Collapses at Queen of Angels Academy
- On Thursday, July 10, a toilet block collapsed at the Queen of Angels Academy in Uasin Gishu county
- An eyewitness narrated how screams from nearby classrooms drew the attention of staff and students
- Video from the scene shows the horrifying incident as rescue teams, including the county disaster response team, continue to retrieve trapped pupils
- Area assistant chief Isaac Bett explained to TUKO.co.ke what caused the tragic incident that claimed the lives of pre-school pupils
Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Uasin Gishu - At least three pupils at Queen of Angels Academy in Turbo have been confirmed dead.
Source: Facebook
When did the toilet collapse at Queen of Angels Academy?
On Thursday, July 10, a sombre mood engulfed Riverside Village in Kaptebee Location after a toilet facility at Queen of Angels Academy collapsed.
Preliminary reports indicate the tragic incident, which sent shockwaves in the school, occurred shortly before 8am.
Parents, teachers, and residents rushed to the scene moments after the toilet collapsed, trapping young pupils.
Emergency rescue operations, led by county disaster response teams and Kenya Red Cross personnel, are currently underway as efforts to retrieve the trapped pupils continue.
According to eyewitnesses, the school’s toilet block caved in unexpectedly while a group of pupils was using the facility.
Screams from nearby classrooms drew the attention of staff and students, who quickly raised the alarm.
“It happened so fast. We heard a loud crash, and by the time we got there, part of the structure had already sunk,” said one teacher.
Source: Original
How many Queen of Angels Academy pupils died?
Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, area assistant chief Isaac Bett, said three pupils from pre-school were in different rooms of the pit latrine when the tragedy occurred.
“At around 7:30am in the morning, the pit latrine for the Queen of Angels Academy in Turbo sub county collapsed and three pupils who were trapped in the latrine died,” said Bett.
Bett said rescue efforts were in vain since all three had been submerged in the pit latrine due to heavy rains that lasted the whole night in the area.
The administrator said the root cause of the latrine collapse could be due to the heavy rains.
“It is a sombre mood in the school, and the community at large has lost young learners through the tragedy which has befallen the school. The bodies of the 3 pupils have been retrieved, and the rescue teams have made sure that there is no other body trapped,” added Bett.
Uasin Gishu County education officials have ordered the indefinite closure of the school pending a full safety inspection and investigation into the incident.
What did Governor Jonathan Bii say?
Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii sent his condolences message to the bereaved families and the entire school fraternity, saying the incident was tragic and regrettable.
The county boss said the loss of young lives was a blow not only to the parents but also to the school, the community and the nation at large.
He asked the Ministry of Education to intervene and assess sanitation facilities in all schools across the county to avoid the recurrence of similar tragedies.
On behalf of the County Government and the great people of Uasin Gishu, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and the entire school community. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected during this painful time.
As a precautionary measure, I have engaged officials from the Ministry of Education to initiate structural assessments of sanitation facilities in schools across the county to help prevent future tragedies," said the governor.
Similar messages were shared by other Uasin Gishu leaders, including Woman Rep Gladys Shollei Boss and Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi.
Why did toilet collapse at Saiwa Primary School?
This development follows the collapse of a toilet at Saiwa Primary School in May after prolonged heavy rainfall.
That facility was one of the most frequently used and was considered to be in better condition than the others in the compound.
The exterior of the collapsed latrine appeared intact, but the inside walls had caved in, creating a hidden danger for students.
Additional reporting by Edmond Kipngeno, TUKO.co.ke correspondent.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
