Several Students Feared Dead After Septic Tank Collapse at Kapsabet School for the Deaf

Tragic incident unfolded on Thursday morning at Kapsabet School for the Deaf after several learners reportedly fell into a septic tank that collapsed within the school compound. 

Authorities say a number of students are feared dead following the accident, which happened as the learners tried to watch the motorcade of William Ruto.

The incident occurred on the morning of Thursday, March 12, when the President’s convoy was passing near the school. 

President Ruto was heading to Kapsabet Girls' High School for an official visit, an event that had attracted attention from people in the surrounding area.

According to early reports, a group of learners at the school gathered near a large septic tank located within the compound. The tank, which is believed to be about 20 feet long, had a concrete cover on top.

As the motorcade approached the area, the students reportedly climbed onto the structure in an attempt to catch a glimpse of the President’s convoy as it passed by.

Witnesses say the situation quickly turned tragic when the structure suddenly gave way under the weight of the students standing on it.

The septic tank collapsed, causing several of the learners who were standing on top of it to fall inside.

The shocking incident caused panic within the school compound as other students and staff rushed to the scene.

Community members living near the school were among the first to respond. Residents quickly joined efforts to rescue the trapped learners before emergency services arrived.

Local residents reportedly used available tools and improvised methods to try and pull the students out of the tank.

Some learners were successfully rescued during these early efforts.

Police officers and other emergency responders later arrived at the scene to take over the rescue operations. Medical teams were also dispatched to assist the victims and provide urgent treatment.

By the time of this publication, several learners had already been rescued from the septic tank and rushed to Kapsabet County Referral Hospital for medical attention.

Hospital staff worked quickly to attend to the injured students, some of whom were reported to be in critical condition.

Authorities have not yet released an official number of casualties, but reports from the ground indicate that several students may have lost their lives in the incident.

The exact number of those affected is expected to be confirmed once rescue operations and investigations are completed.

The tragic accident has left the local community in shock and grief.

Parents, teachers, and residents gathered at the school and the hospital seeking information about the condition of the affected learners.