Not less than 51 killed as truck rams vehicles, merchants in Kenya

Not less than 51 individuals have been killed, with extra believed trapped in wreckage, after a truck rammed a number of different autos and market merchants in western Kenya.

Friday’s smash occurred at a spot recognized for crashes close to the Rift Valley city of Londiani, about 200 kilometres northwest of the capital Nairobi.

Officers on the scene counted 51 our bodies however extra persons are believed to be trapped within the wreckage, Rift Valley police commander Tom Odera mentioned.

Some 32 individuals have been damage and admitted to hospital, the Kenya Pink Cross Society mentioned because it appealed for individuals to provide blood.

Downpours interrupted rescue efforts and folks have been nonetheless caught in wrecked autos, it mentioned.

Transport Minister Kipchumba Murkomen visited the scene on Saturday morning and mentioned the federal government would transfer markets away from the roads to forestall future accidents.

President William Ruto tweeted a condolence message to bereaved households, describing the accident as “distressing” and urging motorists to be “additional cautious”.

Witnesses quoted by native media mentioned the truck veered off the most important highway and hit a number of autos earlier than operating into pedestrians and merchants.

Witnesses shared images of the autos mangled past recognition.

Police mentioned on Friday rescue operations would proceed into the night time.

The Kenyan Pink Cross Society has arrange stations at hospitals the place individuals can report family members nonetheless lacking and is offering psychological help to these affected.

Australian Related Press