UPDATE: Police said six people were killed and six others injured after a vehicle plunged into the Chomo River in Gatanga on Saturday night.

A sombre mood has engulfed Kahunyo village in Gatanga, Murang’a County, after a vehicle carrying several family members plunged into River Kiama on Sunday morning, leaving many feared dead.

The tragic incident occurred at Wacengu Bridge, a section notorious for its sharp bends and narrow crossing.

Witnesses say the white minivan, which was en route to a family event, veered off the road before crashing into the river below.

Emergency response teams, including police officers, and members of the public, rushed to the scene moments after the accident.

The rescue operation was immediately launched to recover the victims and the submerged vehicle.

Photos circulating online and obtained by Hivileo.co.ke show the vehicle’s front section completely submerged, with only part of its rear visible above the murky waters.

Rescuers were seen battling the strong river currents as they tried to access the wreckage.

Also Read: CCTV Footage Reveals What Happened Before Kariandusi Accident That Left 13 Dead

Number of Victims Still Unknown

Authorities have yet to confirm the exact number of people who were in the vehicle at the time of the accident.

The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the community, with families already camping by the riverbank anxiously awaiting news from the rescuers.

As recovery operations continue, motorists are urged to exercise caution, especially when navigating bridges and slippery sections of rural roads amid ongoing rainfall in the region.

Seperate Incident: Panic in Mutarakwa After Freak Lorry Crash

In a separate road incident, panic gripped residents of Mutarakwa in Kiambu County after a lorry reportedly lost control and rammed into a hardware shop on Saturday morning.

The accident, which occurred around 10 a.m. on October 25, saw the heavy vehicle veer off the road before crashing through the front of a busy hardware store where several customers were making purchases.

Also Read: Ambulance Carrying Patients Involved in Tragic Road Accident

Eyewitness Account

According to eyewitnesses, the lorry was ferrying crates of alcohol when it appeared to lose its brakes while descending a steep section of the road.

An eyewitness identified as James Njogu described the terrifying moment the truck moved uncontrollably toward the shop.

“It had no brakes as it came speeding and went right into the hardware,” Njogu recalled.

“The owner and some customers were inside, but luckily, they all managed to walk out without injuries as the lorry went right into the roof,” Njogu added.

Authorities have since cordoned off the site and launched investigations to establish whether mechanical failure or human error caused the accident.

The twin incidents in Murang’a and Kiambu have reignited calls for stricter vehicle inspections and improved road safety measures to prevent such near-fatal tragedies across the country.

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The Wreckage of the Lorry That Rammed into a Hardware in Kiambu County. PHOTO/ Tuko