A dormitory fire in Kenya kills 18 students and injures 27. Dozens are unaccounted for

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — A fire in a school dormitory in Kenya has killed 18 students and 27 others have been hospitalized, with 70 children unaccounted for, the country’s deputy president said Friday.

President William Ruto declared three days of mourning during which flags will be flown at half-staff in honor of the children who died.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said only 86 out of more than 150 children had been accounted for, and urged community members who may have sheltered some of them to help account for them.

Gachagua said that one more student had died at the hospital and that 37 pupils had been reunited with their parents so far.