At least 52 people are now confirmed dead after a truck run into vehicles and hawkers at a busy junction in Kenya.
The lorry carrying a shipping container reportedly lost control at Londiani Junction, near the western town of Kericho.
The accident which took place on Friday evening. Police said in a statement that the truck “lost control and rammed into eight vehicles, several motorcycles, people who were by the roadside, vendors, and other people who were on other businesses”.
Eye witnesses told Kenyan media that the driver had been trying to avoid a bus that had broken down on the road.
“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,” Peter Otieno, a driver was quoted by Reuters as saying.
Police commander Geoffrey Mayek told local media that 30 others were seriously injured with a caution that the number “could be more”.
Kenyan President William Ruto has expressed condolences after the accident.
The country mourns with the families who have lost loved ones in a horrific road accident in Londiani, Kericho County. It is distressing that some of the fatalities are young people with a promising future and business people who were on their daily chores.
We pray for the…
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) June 30, 2023
Road crashes are of major concern to Kenyan authorities. The National Transport and Safety Authority said 4,690 died last year from road accidents.
