Dozens trapped in Kibera train mishap

BY Cyrus Ombati and James Ratemo

An unknown number of people are trapped under a goods train after it crashed on a crowd in Nairobi’s populous Kibera Slums.

Local residents are currently scrambling for cooking oil, which is flowing from one of the coaches as the trapped victims cry for help.

Rescue mission are underway and police have sought assistance from disaster experts to help in evacuating people suspected to be trapped in the coaches following the mishap.

Kibera DC Joseph Owangwa said rescue efforts are ongoing and police are guiding the operation.

A church service that was in progress, several stalls built near the railway lines are some of structures destroyed when the train derailed. Witnesses said pedestrians are also feared trapped under the coaches.

The incident happened in Mashimoni area where another train derailed last week.

Nairobi Area police boss Antony Kibuchi said at least five people are feared trapped under the coaches and described the situation as dire.