Kenya:Five People Die After Lorry Swept By Flood

By Samuel Ouma

Five people have been confirmed dead after a lorry was swept away at River Kwa Muswii in Sultan Hamud, Makueni County, Kenya’s Lower Eastern.

The incident unfolded when the truck they had climbed onto tried to navigate the flooded river but was carried away by the current.

In a viral video on social media, the truck with more than 10  people was swept away by the flood as onlookers cried out for assistance.

While trying to cross the river, the lorry inadvertently slid into the deeper section of the river before being completely swept away with passengers aboard.

Following the incident, the victims were observed trying to navigate through the waters but were overpowered and carried away by the current.

Confirming the incident, the Makueni County government stated that 11 people had been rescued, treated at a local hospital, and discharged in stable condition.

“Our emergency response team is reporting five people missing from among those involved in the Muatineni flood accident. 11 people have been rescued, treated at Sultan Hamud Sub-county Hospital and released in stable condition,” said the Makueni County government.

Efforts to rescue the remaining victims are ongoing. The mission exercise is carried out by the Kenya Red Cross.

“A multi-agency team of emergency rescuers is doing everything humanly possible to find the missing persons.”

The ongoing rains in the Eastern African nation have wreaked havoc, leaving 70 people dead and thousands displaced.