(LONDON) -- At least 16 students died in an overnight fire at a boarding school for girls in central Kenya, a government minister said Thursday.

Education Minister Julius Ogamba said in a statement posted to X that a "regrettable fire tragedy befell Utumishi Girls Academy in Nakuru County. Most unfortunately, 16 learners lost their lives while several others suffered injuries in the incident."

The Kenya Police Service said in a statement posted to Facebook that "several other students were injured and are receiving treatment."

The blaze broke out in a dormitory at the Utumishi Girls Senior School in the town of Gilgil in Kenya's Nakuru County, police said, around 74 miles from the capital Nairobi.

Search and rescue operations are ongoing, police said. "We are working to account for all students and support affected families during this difficult time," the service said in its statement.

The fire was reported early Thursday at around 3:30 a.m. local time, according to the Kenya Red Cross, which said its team were supporting the ongoing multi-agency response. "Several students have been evacuated and are receiving treatment in various hospitals," Kenya Red Cross said.

Ogamba expressed "our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and relatives of the learners who lost their lives in this sorrowful incident. We wish a quick recovery to those who were injured. We pray that God grants everyone strength and fortitude during this difficult and painful period."

"Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing and updates will be provided in due course," the minister added.

ABC News' Charlotte Gardiner contributed to this report.

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