Miscellaneous
17 Catholic Pilgrims Die in Kenya Crash En Route to Prayer Site
Seventeen Catholic pilgrims were killed and several injured in a multi-vehicle collision in Kenya while traveling to the Subukia National Shrine.
A multi-vehicle collision in Kenya on Oct. 3 claimed the lives of seventeen individuals, most of whom were Catholic pilgrims heading toward a prayer site. The incident occurred at Salama when a truck driver attempted to overtake another vehicle but failed, resulting in a fatal crash shortly after 12 a.m. local time.
Archbishop Issues Statement on Tragedy
Martin Kivuva, the archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa, confirmed the deaths in a statement released on Saturday. He noted that the victims were traveling to the Subukia National Shrine for the National Prayer Day. "Let us pray for the repose of their souls as we pray for their families, St. Mathias Mulumba parish and the Archdiocese as a whole, so that we may find solace and consolation in the Lord," Kivuva wrote on social media. He added, "May their souls rest in peace."
Police Confirm Overtaking Attempt Failed
According to the Associated Press, police reported that the crash was triggered by a truck driver’s unsuccessful attempt to pass another truck. The van carrying the pilgrims was involved in the collision. Both the driver and sixteen passengers, predominantly women, were pronounced dead at the scene.
The Kenya National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) stated that beyond the seventeen fatalities, several other individuals sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment. In a Facebook post, the NTSA expressed its "deepest and heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and all those affected by the Salama incident." The authority announced it had dispatched a multi-disciplinary crash investigation team to Salama to determine the full circumstances, including vehicle inspection and compliance checks, in support of the National Police Service.
President Ruto Offers Condolences
Kenyan President William Ruto extended his sympathies to the families, friends, parishioners, and the broader Catholic community mourning the loss. He specifically referenced the "tragic loss of 17 pilgrims from St. Mathias Mulumba Catholic Church." "We stand with them in this difficult moment and pray that God grants them strength, comfort and peace," Ruto said. He also invoked spiritual wishes for the deceased: "May the souls of the departed rest in eternal peace."
Safety Concerns Along Collision Hotspot
The NTSA highlighted that the stretch between Mlima Kiu and Salama has been identified as a hotspot for traffic collisions. Recommendations to address safety concerns along this corridor have previously been made. While investigations continue, the authority urged motorists to exercise extreme caution, avoid dangerous overtaking maneuvers, and strictly observe lane discipline.
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