Kenya: More than 20 drown after bus with church choir plunges into Enziu river, World News
Alvin M. Keeling
2 min read
A bus on its way to a wedding in Kenya was swept away by the rushing waters of the river, drowning at least 20 people. The incident took place on a bridge over the Enziu River, about 200 km east of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. According to local media reports, the driver was unfamiliar with the route and the bridge over the river.
The bus was hired to take a church choir and several other revelers to the ceremony in Kitui County. While most people dived in the river, many managed to escape at the last minute.
This afternoon, a tragedy struck Kitui County. A bus carrying Catholic worshipers was swept away while attempting to cross a swollen Enziu river in Nguni, Mwingi. Rescue efforts continue. So far there are 17 survivors and unfortunately 21 bodies have been found. pic.twitter.com/1VqF5U6g3z
– Charity Ngilu (@mamangilu) December 4, 2021
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Deeming it to be a “terrible” incident, Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu said: “The bodies that have already been recovered at this time are over 23 years old. We have no more bodies on the bus.
She visited the site with the Red Cross community. “Staff and law enforcement are doing all they can to search and rescue as well as to recover,” she said.
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“We pray for the strength and compassion of God to comfort affected families and friends,” Ngilu added.
Speaking to her Twitter, she wrote: “Rescue efforts are underway. So far there are 17 survivors and unfortunately 21 bodies have been found.”
She further added that efforts to recover the corpses would resume on Saturday.
At the moment, it is not known how many people were on the bus at the time.
(With contributions from agencies)
