Overloaded bus plunges into river in southern Kenya, killing 23

Overloaded bus plunges into river in southern Kenya, killing 23

2011-08-21 16:11:32 GMT+7 (ICT)

MBOONI, KENYA (BNO NEWS) -- More than 20 people were killed on late Saturday evening when a bus carrying members of a family to wedding preparations plunged into a river in southern Kenya, police said on Sunday.

The accident happened at around 9 p.m. local time when the 41-seater bus overturned several times and plunged into a river near Mbooni, a settlement in the Makueni District of Kenya's Eastern Province. The bus was carrying at least 57 people.

A police spokesman said a total of 23 people were killed in the accident, among them 11 men, 11 women, and a baby. Thirty-four others were taken to various hospitals in the region, including at least 15 people who were in a critical condition.

The passengers on board the vehicle were said to be traveling from Makueni District to the settlement of Kangundo for dowry negotiations. Dowry is the money, goods, or estate which a woman gives to her husband when getting married in some cultures.

It was not immediately clear whether the bride and groom were among the casualties, although one report said the groom had been killed.

Saturday's accident is the worst traffic accident so far this year in Kenya, where accidents are common due to the poor conditions of roads and vehicles.

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