People stand close to the wreckage of autos after a deadly accident in Londiani, Kenya, on Friday.

AP

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AP

People stand close to the wreckage of autos after a deadly accident in Londiani, Kenya, on Friday.

AP

NAIROBI, Kenya — A truck rammed into a number of different autos and market merchants in western Kenya killing not less than 51 folks, police mentioned.

The Friday night accident occurred at a location identified for automobile crashes close to the Rift Valley city of Londiani, which is about 200 kilometers (125 miles) northwest of the capital, Nairobi.

Officers on the scene counted 51 our bodies, however extra folks had been believed to be trapped within the wreckage, Rift Valley police commander Tom Odera informed The Associated Press.

The Kenya Red Cross Society mentioned on Saturday 32 folks had been injured and hospitalized, and requested Kenyans to donate blood. It additionally mentioned heavy rainfall interrupted rescue efforts and other people had been nonetheless trapped in wrecked autos.

Transport Minister Kipchumba Murkomen visited the scene on Saturday morning and mentioned the federal government would relocate markets away from the highways to stop such future accidents.

President William Ruto tweeted a condolence message to bereaved households describing the accident as “distressing” and urging motorists to be “extra cautious.”

Witnesses quoted by native media mentioned the truck veered off the main freeway and hit a number of autos earlier than hitting pedestrians and merchants. Witnesses shared images of the automobile wreckages mangled past recognition.

Police had mentioned on Friday rescue operations would proceed into the evening.

The Kenyan Red Cross Society mentioned they’ve arrange stations at hospitals the place folks can report family members nonetheless lacking and are offering psychological assist to these affected.