Many injured after bus plunges into river off Waiyaki Way
Dozens of passengers were Tuesday evening injured after a bus they were traveling in overturned and plunged into a river at Waruku, on Musa Gitau Road in Nairobi.
Witnesses and police said the accident had left over 30 people injured.
The victims were rushed to the hospital with multiple injuries.
Nairobi County’s Environment Chief Officer, Geoffrey Mosiria, confirmed the news, stating that at least 30 people had been injured.
“A bus has plunged into a river at Waruku, off Waiyaki Way, leaving over 30 people injured. Rescue operations are ongoing — more than 20 victims have been taken to Riverside Medical Center, while others are still being evacuated. More ambulances are urgently needed,” he said.
Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly Robert Alai called on the Kenya Red Cross Society and St. John Ambulance to intervene.
“We have a major accident in Waruku. A 33-seater bus has plunged into the river. We are asking for rescue services,” he said.
Police said they are investigating the cause of the accident that happened at about 5.30 PM. That is rush hour and many public service vehicles rush to and from their destinations for passengers.
Images on the ground showed rescuers and bystanders working frantically to help the injured.
Some victims lay on rocks and along the riverbank, while others are being carried to safety.
The bus, tipped onto its side and was partially submerged in the water, with people clambering over it in an effort to evacuate passengers trapped inside.
Police said they have intensified operations to address accidents in the country.
Meanwhile, at least six Chinese tourists were Monday evening injured in a head on collision incident along Bomet-Narok highway.
The Land Cruiser the tourists were traveling in collided with a lorry.
They were taken to hospital in a stable condition, police said.
The tourists had been to Maasai Mara and were driving back when the accident happened, police said.
Their drivers escaped without injuries.