RIVER ENZIU TRAGEDY

(Photos) Recovery operations continue at River Enziu, Mwingi

The recovery exercise started early in the day, led by the team comprising of divers from the Kenya Navy.

In Summary

•The recovery exercise started early in the day, led by the team comprising of divers from the Kenya Navy.

•Twenty two out of the 24 victims were members of St. James Good Shepherd Catholic church in Mwingi, Kitui County.

Kenya Navy officers who are part of rescue efforts at the scene where a bus plunged into River Enziu, Mwingi on December 5, 2021/ANDREW KASUKU
Kenya Navy officers who are part of rescue efforts at the scene where a bus plunged into River Enziu, Mwingi on December 5, 2021/ANDREW KASUKU

Recovery operations are still underway on the second day of the River Enziu tragedy.

At least 24 people died while 12 others were rescued after a bus capsized in the river in Mwingi East on Saturday.

Volunteers try to pull the bus wreckage out of water
Volunteers try to pull the bus wreckage out of water
Image: ANDREW KASUKU

The death toll from the incident is expected to rise as some bodies were still trapped inside the bus when recovery efforts were suspended by yesterday nightfall.

Rescue efforts where more than 20 lost their lives after a bus plunged into River Enziu, Mwingi Central
Rescue efforts where more than 20 lost their lives after a bus plunged into River Enziu, Mwingi Central
Image: ANDREW KASUKU

The recovery exercise started early in the day, led by the team comprising of divers from the Kenya Navy.

Twenty two out of the 24 victims were members of St. James Good Shepherd Catholic church in Mwingi, Kitui County.

A child's shoe is seen at the scene where a bus plunged into a river killing more than 20 passengers at River Enziu, Mwingi Central on December 5, 2021/ANDREW KASUKU
A child's shoe is seen at the scene where a bus plunged into a river killing more than 20 passengers at River Enziu, Mwingi Central on December 5, 2021/ANDREW KASUKU

They died after a St. Joseph’s Seminary  bus they were traveling in was swept away by water at a rift while it attempted to cross the river at around 1.30 pm on Saturday.

Members of public follow on rescue activities at the scene where a bus plugged into a river killing more than 20 people at River Enziu, Mwingi Central, Kitui on December 5, 2021/ANDREW KASUKU
Members of public follow on rescue activities at the scene where a bus plugged into a river killing more than 20 people at River Enziu, Mwingi Central, Kitui on December 5, 2021/ANDREW KASUKU

A communication circulated to members from the church leadership seen by the Star indicated that the victims were headed to a wedding ceremony when the incident occurred.

Kitui governor Charity Ngilu with members of catholic church clergy address residents at the scene where a bus plunged into Enziu River killing more than 20 near Nguni Market, Mwingi Centra on December 5, 2021/ANDREW KASUKU
Kitui governor Charity Ngilu with members of catholic church clergy address residents at the scene where a bus plunged into Enziu River killing more than 20 near Nguni Market, Mwingi Centra on December 5, 2021/ANDREW KASUKU

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