Several passengers were left stranded aboard a bus in Tana River County after it was marooned by raging waters following a heavy downpour in the area.
Kenya Red Cross said it was carrying out a mission to rescue the stranded passengers in a statement on Tuesday morning April 9, 2024, at 9:35 am.
The humanitarian agency noted that the passengers were trapped in the bus in Arer near Tulla village, Tana River County.
"Kenya Red Cross first responders in collaboration with community members are currently engaged in a challenging rescue operation to save the lives of several people stranded aboard a bus that has been marooned by raging waters at Arer near Tulla village, Tana River County," Red Cross said in a statement.
Kenya Red Cross first responders in collaboration with community members are currently engaged in a challenging rescue operation to save the lives of several people stranded aboard a bus that has been marooned by raging waters at Arer near Tulla village, Tana River County.
The… pic.twitter.com/IZepnTh62w— Kenya Red Cross (@KenyaRedCross) April 9, 2024
Police said they were notified about the stranded passengers on the bus through a phone call at 2:40 am on Tuesday.
A member of the public informed the police that the KDN 059X bus was marooned by the flooding waters at 12:30 am.
According to a police report seen by K24 Digital, the bus was travelling from Wajir towards Nairobi with 49 passengers onboard.
"The bus, driven by one Hassan Turbo, was travelling from Wajir heading towards Nairobi via Garissa with 49 passengers on board and upon reaching within Chuma Mrefu area while attempting to cross a flooded section of the road following a heavy downpour, the bus slipped out of the road and got stuck into a ditch," part of the report stated.
The report added that the bus was slowly swept by the flooding water and got stuck some 30 meters off the highway.
Some passengers escaped through the windows while many (at the time of reporting the story) were still trapped inside. Others climbed to the rooftop of the bus.
Nairobi-Garissa Road closure
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) announced a temporary closure of the Nairobi-Garissa Road due to flooding.
In a statement on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, KeNHA announced the closure of Nairobi-Garissa Road between Bangaley and Madogo due to flooding at Arer Area.
"KeNHA informs the public of closure of Nairobi - Garissa (A3) Road due to flooding at Arer Area, between Bangaley and Madogo. The flooding is as a result of the ongoing heavy rains which occurred last night and has resulted into rising water levels along the entire stretch," KeNHA said.
"The flooding at Arer has compromised the road and diversion that was previously in use. This poses a high safety risk to the road users. This road, therefore, shall remain closed until the flood waters subside and the damaged section is reinstated.
"The Authority staff are on site ready to deal with the washout immediately the water subsides. We urge road users to be cautious and avoid driving in the floodwater for their safety," the statement added.
1/3 KeNHA informs the public of closure of Nairobi - Garissa (A3) Road due to flooding at Arer Area, between Bangaley and Madogo.
The flooding is as a result of the ongoing heavy rains which occurred last night and has resulted into rising water levels along the entire stretch. pic.twitter.com/jd1wsRzW7z— Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) (@KeNHAKenya) April 9, 2024
