Road crash in Kenya claims lives of at least 49 as rampaging truck rams several vehicles

At least 49people lost their lives after a truck rammed into several other vehicles at a busy junction in western Kenya on Friday night, said the police.

As per AFP reports, the television images showed horrific scenes of destruction at the site of the road crash with debris ofseveral minibuses and the overturned truck as rescue workers hunted in darkness for people feared trapped.

"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 told AFP after the accident on the highway between the towns of Kericho and Nakuru at around 6:30 pm (1530 GMT).

Another 30 people had sustained serious injuries in the road crash and were rushed immediately to the hospital, he said.

He further warned that the death toll could rise.

"I have seen a very bad scene, bodies and blood all over. So many people are dead," said one witness, Maureen Jepkoech.

Tom Mboya Odero, the regional police commander for the Rift Valley, said the truck travelling towards Kericho "lost control and rammed into eight vehicles, several motorcycles, people who were by the roadside, vendors, and other people who were on other businesses".

Kenyan leaders express condolences

Kenyan leaders, including President William Ruto, expressed their condolences after the incident which took place at Londiani junction.

Transport Minister Kipchumba Murkomen took to Twitter and said that the rescue efforts would be followed by a probe to find out the cause of the accident.

Collins Kipkoech, a senior doctor at Kericho County Hospital, said his facility's morgue had so far received 45 bodies while more victims were taken to other hospitals "and the rescue is still ongoing".

"The truck was at high speed and it was hooting. It tried to avoid several vehicles before it came straight into the market," AFP quoted witness Jepkoech as saying.

"All I can say is that I am lucky to be alive because I saw what happened and I am alive because I ran, I am just lucky," she added.

Another witness, Joel Rotich, said: "The accident happened in a flash, many of them had no time to escape.

"There was a lot of confusion because people were screaming all over and everyone was running after the accident," he added.

"It took some time before people gathered courage and started helping those injured."

(With inputs from agencies)

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