NAIROBI – AFP

At least 48 people were killed and 30 injured in a traffic accident in western Kenya on Friday that may have been caused by a truck driver losing control and crashing into a bus stop, police said.

“The accident happened at a busy junction on the highway between Kericho and Nakuru. We can now confirm the death of 48 people,” said Geoffrey Mike, a police officer. He added, “Our predictions suggest that one or two people are trapped under the truck.

Regarding the injured, he said: 30 people were seriously injured and shifted to different hospitals.

“The death toll of the injured could be higher,” the police official said, noting that “currently, the confirmed number is 30 injuries.”

Local media reported that rescue operations were hampered by heavy rains.

On the circumstances of the accident, Mike said, “Preliminary reports indicate that a truck bound for Kericho lost control and collided with several matados (local minibuses) packed with passengers at the bus station”. The truck crushed the mini buses and also ran over passengers and pedestrians standing near the bus stop.

Footage broadcast by local TV channels showed several cars reduced to piles of metal. Greshu state governor Eric Mutai said in a post on Facebook: “My heart is broken. My heart breaks for the families who have lost their loved ones,” stressing that the government has kept ambulances and health facilities on alert to deal with the tragedy.