A bus carrying funeral attendees overturned in a notorious accident hotspot, resulting in multiple fatalities and severe injuries.
Tragic Bus Crash Claims 25 Lives in Kenya's Western Region
Tragic Bus Crash Claims 25 Lives in Kenya's Western Region
Devastating accident occurs as mourners return from a funeral, highlighting the country's road safety crisis.
The mourners' bus was returning from a burial in western Kenya when tragedy struck, leading to the loss of 25 lives as reported by local authorities. The accident occurred on the Kisumu-Kakamega Highway on Friday afternoon when the driver apparently lost control, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and plunge into a ditch. This highway is infamous for its numerous hazardous incidents.
According to police reports, the victims included 10 men, 10 women, and one girl, with 20 others sustaining injuries, five of whom are in critical condition. Tragically, four individuals later succumbed to their injuries in hospital. The passengers, mostly belonging to the same family, were on their way back from the burial ground.
The vehicle involved was originally a school bus, repurposed for transporting family members to the funeral. The journey spanned approximately 62 kilometers (38.5 miles) from Nyahera to Nyakach. The exact cause of the crash is still under investigation, as authorities have not yet determined what led to the driver’s loss of control.
Amid the sorrow, Kenya's Ministry of Health has called for an urgent blood donation campaign to assist the injured, while also expressing condolences to the grieving families. In light of the incident, Kenyan President William Ruto urged for swift accountability and immediate action regarding traffic safety violations. The National Transport and Safety Authority has pledged to support ongoing investigations.
This tragic accident follows a series of unfortunate events this week, including a plane crash in Nairobi killing six and a bus-train collision in Naivasha that resulted in nine deaths. The escalating road safety crisis is alarming, with road fatalities having risen significantly in recent years. In 2021 alone, road accidents claimed over 4,500 lives, highlighting an urgent need for comprehensive safety reforms.
According to police reports, the victims included 10 men, 10 women, and one girl, with 20 others sustaining injuries, five of whom are in critical condition. Tragically, four individuals later succumbed to their injuries in hospital. The passengers, mostly belonging to the same family, were on their way back from the burial ground.
The vehicle involved was originally a school bus, repurposed for transporting family members to the funeral. The journey spanned approximately 62 kilometers (38.5 miles) from Nyahera to Nyakach. The exact cause of the crash is still under investigation, as authorities have not yet determined what led to the driver’s loss of control.
Amid the sorrow, Kenya's Ministry of Health has called for an urgent blood donation campaign to assist the injured, while also expressing condolences to the grieving families. In light of the incident, Kenyan President William Ruto urged for swift accountability and immediate action regarding traffic safety violations. The National Transport and Safety Authority has pledged to support ongoing investigations.
This tragic accident follows a series of unfortunate events this week, including a plane crash in Nairobi killing six and a bus-train collision in Naivasha that resulted in nine deaths. The escalating road safety crisis is alarming, with road fatalities having risen significantly in recent years. In 2021 alone, road accidents claimed over 4,500 lives, highlighting an urgent need for comprehensive safety reforms.
