Gas Cylinder Explodes In Matatu In Thika-Garissa Highway Accident [PHOTOS]

Following the collision, the gas cylinder burst into flames

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
Jul 15, 2022 - 08:23 Updated: Jul 15, 2022 - 08:58
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Gas Cylinder Explodes In Matatu In Thika-Garissa Highway Accident [PHOTOS]
Wreckage of the matatu involved in the accident at Kwa Majini bridge on the Thika-Garissa highway in Machakos County. /TWITTER

Six people have been killed and eight others injured after a gas cylinder exploded in a matatu they were travelling in following a road accident along the Thika-Garissa highway.

The accident which occurred on Friday, July 15 involved a head-on collision between a matatu and a car at the Kwa Majini bridge in Yatta, Machakos County.

Following the collision, the gas cylinder burst into flames, with reports indicating that the deceased were burnt beyond recognition.

Wreckage of the matatu involved in the accident at Kwa Majini bridge on the Thika-Garissa highway in Machakos County. /TWITTER

According to police, the injured were taken to Matuu Level 4 Hospital with serious burn injuries.

“It is unfortunate we have lost six passengers. The collision caused a fire which trapped those trying to leave and hampered rescue mission,” said Machakos Police boss Issa Mohamed.

The accident comes merely days after police blamed a matatu driver for the grisly road accident that occurred along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway on Friday, July 8.

18 people were killed while two others were rushed to the Mariakani Sub-County Hospital after the accident that involved a matatu and a trailer occurred between Taru and Samburu along the road.

A statement by the National Police Service (NPS) indicated that a preliminary report revealed that the matatu driver was overtaking on a continuous yellow line at the time of the accident. 

Traffic laws warn against overtaking at such spots as continuous yellow lines have sharp bends, corners, dipping roads and close proximity to intersections, all blind spots. 

Worrying statistics by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) indicate that 1,912 people have died in road accidents since January 1, 2022, which is a nine per cent increase from 1,754 in 2021.

Pedestrians accounted for the highest number of fatalities. 682 pedestrians were killed in accidents as compared to 573 who lost their lives in the same period last year.

Scene of a horror accident that occurred along Nairobi Mombasa Highway on July 8, 2022. /NTV

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