Dozens were killed when a truck rammed into several other vehicles and market traders on Friday evening (Picture:AP)
At least 48 people have been killed in western Kenya after a truck veered off the road at a busy junction and ploughed into a number of vehicles and pedestrians.
Footage of the accident’s aftermath carried by local broadcasters showed the twisted wreckages of cars and motorbikes alongside damaged minibuses and trucks.
‘So far, we can confirm 48 dead and we are suspecting one or two are still trapped under the truck,’ local police commander Geoffrey Mayek said after the accident on Friday night.
‘Thirty people have been seriously injured and rushed to various hospitals. The numbers could be more but as of now we are sure about 30.’
Dozens were injured after a truck veered off the road at a busy junction (Picture: AP)
The accident is one of the deadliest on Kenya’s roads for many years (Picture: AP)
The accident took place on the highway between the towns of Kericho and Nakuru near Londiani, west Kenya.
Heavy rains are hindering rescue operations, according to local media reports.
‘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.’
Heavy rains have been hampering rescue operations, say authorities (Picture: AP)
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.
‘The country mourns with the families who have lost loved ones in a horrific road accident in Londiani,” Kenyan President William Ruto wrote in a tweet.
‘It is distressing that some of the fatalities are young people with a promising future and business people who were on their daily chores.’
The accident is one of the most deadly on Kenya’s roads in recent years. Last year 34 people died in central Kenya when their bus veered off a bridge and plunged into a river valley.
‘My heart is crushed,’ Kericho governor Erick Mutai said on Facebook. ‘It is a dark moment for the people of Kericho. My heart goes out to the families who have just lost their loved ones.’
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].
For more stories like this, check our news page.
Dozens have died after a truck veered off the road at a busy junction in western Kenya.