48 killed in road accident in western Kenya: Police

48 killed in road accident in western Kenya: Police
48 killed in road accident in western Kenya: Police

western Kenya: Footage of the accident’s aftermath carried by local broadcasters showed the twisted wreckages of cars and motorbikes alongside damaged minibuses and trucks. The accident is one of the most deadly on Kenya’s roads in recent years.

At least 48 people were killed in a road accident in Londiani, western Kenya, on Friday evening when a lorry carrying a shipping container veered off the road and ploughed into several vehicles, police and witnesses said.

Footage of the accident’s aftermath carried by local broadcasters showed the twisted wreckages of cars and motorbikes alongside damaged minibuses and trucks.

Regional police commander Tom Odera said the death toll stood at 48 on Friday evening.

“I saw a speeding oncoming trailer. I swerved and escaped hitting him head-on. The person who was behind me thought I wanted to buy something. He overtook me and that is when he was hit. The trailer went off the road and hit other vehicles,” said Peter Otieno, a driver.

“I saw about 20 bodies with my own eyes. There were other bodies that were under the vehicle.

The Kenya Red Cross said the lorry rammed more than six vehicles and ran over pedestrians. More than 20 casualties were taken to local hospitals, the Red Cross said.