Dozens of other students were injured and taken to hospital, 71 were later discharged and seven admitted for further treatment, Education Minister Julius Ogamba said while visiting the scene of the blaze. He said the cause of the fire had not yet been established and investigations were ongoing. The fire at the Utumishi Girls Academy started in the early hours of Thursday as the students were asleep. Anxious parents and relatives have been gathering at the scene waiting for news of their loved ones. The education minister said the fire broke out on the first floor of one of the dormitories, which was "completely destroyed" in the blaze. "The response teams managed to put out the fire by about 03:00, but by then the damage had already been done”, he said. He added that the school would begin releasing students to their parents and guardians throughout the day as authorities continue investigations. Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen, who was also among the officials gathered at the school, sent his condolences to the bereaved families. "It's a very anxious moment and even as we account for the sixteen so far identified as having passed on, I want to ask the people of Kenya that together we stand with the families... in prayer, in support. "I ask everyone to be patient and avoid speculation”, he said. (BBC)