Dozens Rescued in Northern Kenya After Floodwaters Sweep Bus off Bridge

Nairobi, Kenya (TAE)-In a harrowing incident in northern Kenya, 51 passengers were rescued from a bus after it was swept away by floodwaters on a river bridge in Tana River county. The incident occurred on Tuesday, and the bus remains lodged in the river, some 30 meters from the original bridge location, as reported by Ali Ndiema, the Tana River county commander.

Commander Ndiema told The Associated Press that the floodwaters are gradually subsiding, but the bus has not been retrieved yet. Following this dangerous incident, the affected road has been indefinitely closed to prevent further accidents. Ndiema emphasized that strict enforcement actions, including arrests and charges, will be taken against anyone attempting to violate this closure.

Remarkably, all passengers were accounted for after the incident. Authorities are now searching for the bus driver, who allegedly disregarded passengers' concerns about the rising water levels and proceeded to cross the bridge.

"Some passengers managed to escape just before the bus was completely submerged, while others found refuge on the roof of the bus," said one of the rescuers at the scene.

This dramatic rescue unfolded just hours after the Kenya roads agency had announced the closure of another section of the same road due to the swelling Tana River, which was further exacerbated by continuous heavy rains in the region.

On Monday, the government had issued a flood alert for the residents of Tana River and Lamu counties following the breach of a dam upstream, which led to increased flooding risks.

This event serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by seasonal rains and the critical importance of adhering to safety advisories during such periods.