40 dead as tanker rams into vehicles and bursts into flames on Nairobi highway, Kenya

A tanker carrying inflammable substances rammed into several vehicles before bursting into flames near Karai on the Nairobi-Naivasha Highway, killing 40 people and injuring dozens on Saturday. Witnesses at the scene said the driver of the tanker lost control while going downhill and hit the other vehicle which created chain of knocks. The accident on the busy highway, some 80 kilometres west of Nairobi created a horrible scene. Two survivors of the accident have been admitted at the Nairobi hospital; one in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and while the other is said to be in stable condition.
According to a preliminary police report released on Sunday morning, the truck (registration number UAK 519C) hit a bump before its driver lost control and rammed into a vehicle in front and other vehicles before it burst into flames.

"The fire spread very fast burning 10 other vehicles. A General Service Unit (GSU) Land Cruiser registration number GK B 961G was also burnt, killing the officers on board. Most bodies were burnt beyond recognition," said the police report.
"At the scene, two containers of premium bond substance said to be highly flammable were recovered and suspected were among the items carried in the truck," added the report.
Transport PS Irungu Nyakera, while addressing the media on Sunday morning at the scene, said that nine police guns were also recovered and put the death toll at 40.

 

National Disaster Management Unit boss Pius Maasai has advised those who lost their loved ones to report at Naivasha Police station for assistance. According to him, most of the bodies can be identified and will be taken to Naivasha mortuary.
The Kenya Red Cross has set up an information desk at the Naivasha police station where relatives have been urged to report their missing ones for identification. TSA boss Francis Meja confirmed that 12 vehicles were burnt, adding that one was a PSV and the rest private.


Source: Nation Kenya, Kenyan media