MAKUENI, Kenya — Postmortem examinations are set to begin Sunday for 17 Catholic pilgrims who died in a road crash at Mlima Kiu along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway in Salama, Makueni County.
The victims were travelling from Mikindani Catholic Parish in Mombasa to the National Shrine in Subukia, Nakuru County, for National Prayer Day when the crash occurred in the early hours of Saturday.
Police said all 17 occupants of the Toyota Hiace van contracted by the parish to transport the pilgrims died in the accident.
The victims were identified on Saturday using a passenger manifest provided by Mikindani Catholic Parish priest Father Patrick Maingi, paving the way for the postmortem examinations.
Police Clarify Truck Driver Survived
Police also clarified earlier reports that the driver of the Howo truck involved in the crash had died.
The driver survived but sustained serious injuries. He was initially taken to Sultan Hamud Hospital before being transferred to Makueni Level 6 Hospital for further treatment.
Two other passengers travelling in a Toyota Noah involved in the crash were taken to hospital and later discharged.
Bodies To Be Taken To Mombasa
Sultan Hamud Hospital administrator Dr Stephen Mwangangi said the families of the deceased had arrived at the facility ahead of the postmortem examinations.
The exercise is expected to take place at Sultan Hamud Hospital on Sunday.
Mwangangi said the bodies would be transported to Mombasa County after the examinations are completed.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa confirmed that those who died were pilgrims travelling to Subukia for the National Prayer Day.
NTSA Investigates Crash
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) said several other people were injured in the crash, which involved multiple vehicles along the busy Nairobi-Mombasa Highway.
NTSA dispatched a team to the scene to investigate the circumstances of the accident and assess the condition of the vehicles involved.
The crash occurred along a section of the highway that the authority has identified as a black spot. NTSA said it had previously issued road safety recommendations concerning the area.
Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash are ongoing.
President William Ruto was among those who sent condolences to the families and friends of the victims.
