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A fire at a boarding school in Kenya has resulted in the deaths of 18 students, with many still unaccounted for.

What’s the deal: A fire broke out late Thursday night at Hillside Endarasha Primary School, a boarding school in Nyeri County, Kenya, killing 18 boys between the ages of 9-13 while they slept. The dormitory housed 156 boys, and the bodies recovered were burned beyond recognition. Another 70 students are still missing, and 27 have been hospitalized.

More on the fire: As of right now, the exact cause of the fire remains unclear, and authorities are still investigating the incident. Police have not ruled out any possibilities, and there is no immediate evidence pointing to arson, though previous fires in Kenyan schools have sometimes been attributed to deliberate acts. There has been some speculation that the fire could have been started because the dormitory was overcrowded, which would result in electrical issues.

Government official reacts: In a statement, Kenyan President William Ruto said, “Our thoughts are with the families of the children who have lost their lives in the fire tragedy at the Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County. This is devastating news. We pray for speedy recovery to the survivors. I instruct relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate this horrific incident. Those responsible will be held to account.”

Digging deeper: In 2017, a fire at Moi Girls’ School in Nairobi killed nine students, and authorities later confirmed it was arson. A 14-year-old student was accused of starting the blaze. It ultimately led to a bigger conversation about the safety of boarding schools in the country and new rules (related to building code) to enhance safety for students who attend them.