16 pilgrims, van driver killed in multi-vehicle crash in Kenya
Nairobi: A crash involving multiple vehicles on the highway to the Kenyan coastal city of Mombasa on Saturday killed 17 people, most of them pilgrims on the way to a prayer site, officials said. The crash in the Salama area happened after midnight when a truck driver tried and failed to overtake another truck, police said. That caused a collision with vehicles including a van carrying pilgrims,…
On Saturday night, a devastating multi-vehicle collision occurred on the highway leading to Mombasa, Kenya, resulting in the deaths of 17 people, with 16 of them being pilgrims on their way to a religious site. According to officials, the accident took place in the Salama area just after midnight when a truck driver attempted to overtake another truck, causing the vehicles to collide, including a van carrying pilgrims.
The van’s driver and 16 passengers, predominantly women, were killed at the scene. The pilgrims were en route to Nakuru County, located west of Kenya’s capital Nairobi. Archbishop Martin Kivuva of the Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa expressed his and others’ profound sorrow over the tragic loss of life. President William Ruto conveyed his condolences to the families, friends, parishioners, and the entire Catholic community mourning this devastating incident.
Road accidents remain a significant issue in Africa, often attributed to factors such as poorly maintained vehicles, excessive speed, and subpar road conditions. The Kenyan National Transport and Safety Authority has urged motorists to exercise extreme caution, refrain from dangerous overtaking, and strictly adhere to lane discipline, particularly in areas identified as high-risk "black spots."
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