Train plunges into the Indian Ocean in Mombasa[Video]

janet ndila

May 20, 2018 1:14 PM

KPA's disaster management team deployed to the scene of the accident

A train carrying fuel plunged into the Indian ocean in Mombasa, causing heavy traffic snarl up after a section of the Makupa causeway was closed indefinitely following the accident.

Police confirmed that the incident happened on Saturday night at around 11:35 PM when the trained carrying approximately 25000 litres of fuel derailed with some wagons plunging into the ocean.

Police and firefighters responded promptly to the scene of the accident.

Mombasa County Police Commander Johnston Ipara confirmed the incident as contingent of police officers was deployed to secure the scene and control traffic.

Below is the video, courtesy of The Star.

Train plunges into the Indian Ocean in Mombasa[Video]

Reports indicate that seven wagons of the train are submerged in the ocean with fears of water pollution.

Kenya Ports Authority Managing Director Catherine Mturi-Wairi described the accident as unfortunate even as the authority deployed a disaster management team to stop spillage of petrol into the ocean.

Passengers using the Madaraka express and Moi International Airport were stuck at Shimanzi as police diverted the heavy traffic to alternative routes.

No casualties were reported in the accident.

This is the second railway accident in less than a month.

Late last month, two cargo trains collided at Mtito Andei along the old meter gauge railway.

janet ndila