17 Catholic Pilgrims Killed in Multi-Vehicle Crash in Kenya

17 Catholic Pilgrims Killed in Multi-Vehicle Crash in Kenya
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At least 17 people, most of them Catholic pilgrims, have been killed in a multi-vehicle road crash in Kenya while travelling to a religious prayer site.

The accident occurred shortly after midnight in the Salama area, about 90 kilometres southeast of Nairobi, along the highway linking the capital with the coastal city of Mombasa, according to Kenyan police.

Authorities said the crash happened after a truck driver attempted to overtake another truck and collided with several vehicles, including a 14-seater minibus carrying pilgrims. The minibus driver and all 16 passengers were killed at the scene, with most of the victims reported to be women.

The pilgrims were travelling to a prayer site in Nakuru County, west of Nairobi, according to Archbishop Martin Kivuva of the Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa.

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has launched an investigation into the crash and deployed officials to determine the circumstances that led to the collision.

Road accidents remain a major concern in Kenya, with authorities frequently citing factors including speeding, poor road conditions and vehicle safety issues as contributing causes.