Lucky passengers escape death after a 60-seater bus catches fire
A passenger bus burst into flames along the Mombasa-Nairobi highway, causing traffic disruption near Mtito Andei. The early morning incident led to passengers scrambling for safety, but no injuries were reported. Firefighters managed to extinguish the fire, and passengers continued their journeys on alternative buses. This event adds to the rising number of public service vehicles catching fire in Kenya, prompting concerns over road safety.
On Thursday morning, traffic along the busy Mombasa-Nairobi highway near the Mtito Andei area was brought to a standstill after a 60-seater passenger bus burst into flames. The incident, which occurred in the early hours, caused panic among passengers who quickly scrambled to safety as the fire rapidly spread through the vehicle.
Preliminary investigations suggest that a technical failure may have sparked the blaze. Emergency response teams, including firefighters, were promptly dispatched to the scene to contain the fire. Although the fire was intense, the firefighters eventually succeeded in extinguishing the flames before the bus was towed away from the scene.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the passengers were safely evacuated from the burning bus. They were later accommodated on other buses, allowing them to continue their journeys with minimal disruption.
This incident is part of a concerning trend where public service vehicles (PSVs) have been catching fire in different parts of Kenya. Similar incidents have been reported recently, raising concerns about the safety of PSVs on Kenyan roads.
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In a comparable incident earlier this year in February, another bus en route from Nairobi to Mombasa also burst into flames with passengers on board. Thanks to quick action, the passengers were safely evacuated, and arrangements were made for them to complete their journey in another vehicle.
The bus company involved in Thursday's incident has since issued a statement expressing regret over the situation. They assured the public that they are taking necessary measures to prevent such occurrences in the future. "We are deeply sorry to inform you that one of our buses traveling from Kitale to Malindi experienced a fire incident earlier today. The bus caught fire around 4:00 AM near the Voi area," the company noted.
The statement further added, "We are grateful for the swift action that ensured everyone's safety. Our teams assisted these passengers in completing their journey on alternative buses."
As cases of PSVs catching fire continue to rise, authorities and bus operators are under increasing pressure to enhance vehicle safety and ensure the well-being of passengers on Kenyan roads.
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