Kenya: Bus carrying travelers falls off bridge — at least 34 dead

Thirty-four people died Sunday night in central Kenya when the bus they were traveling in plunged off a bridge, authorities said today.

The announcement by the National Transport and Safety Authority states that the operations of the bus company, Modern Coast Express Ltd, have been suspended. “A thorough multi-agency investigation into the accident and an assessment of the operator’s operational safety standards (is) underway,” the text posted on Twitter clarified.

The bus fell from a height of 40 meters into the Nithi River while crossing a bridge known for its danger, which is located 50 kilometers away from the town of Moru from where it had departed for the port of Mombasa (south-east).

NTSA suspended operations of #ModernCoast after tragic #Accident at #NithiBridge.
Eye witnesses said the bus from Meru to Mombasa, was overspeeding before plunging into the river!
Over 33 passengers confirmed dead, while others are still missing.#KeepItKiss #AllDayEveryDay

🎥 NTV pic.twitter.com/GHcadIuFfb

— KISS TV KENYA (@KeepItKiss) July 25, 2022

Twenty people were killed on the spot and four others died in hospital. Several bodies washed up from the river this morning, Tharaka Nithi County Chief Norbert Komora said.

“Thirty-four people were killed in this accident,” he said tonight.

“There were 45 people inside the bus and so far we have counted 42. They are people who are in the hospital or are dead. We are looking for three more people,” he added.

“Investigations are continuing and we are trying to recover the body of the bus,” he added.

Local media photos show the wreckage of the damaged bus and the seats thrown out.

The death toll on Kenyan roads has been on the rise in recent years. Between January and June, 1,912 people were killed compared to 1,754 in the same period last year (+9%), according to the latest NTSA figures.

Source: AMPE