Kibaki orders evacuation of Tanzania road crash victims

President Kibaki has ordered the evacuation of Kenyans involved in the Tanzania bus accident that claimed 11 lives.

He instructed the Kenya Army helicopters to airlift the injured to Nairobi for treatment.

"The President has instructed the armed forces to provide the necessary aircraft and helicopters to evacuate the injured to Nairobi for further medical attention," said a statement from the Presidential Press Service.

In his condolence message, the President mourned those who lost their lives in the "tragic" accident and wished the injured "quick recovery".

Eleven Kenyans died and 25 others were seriously injured early Friday following a road crash on the Tanga- Dar es Salaam, according to Tanzanian authorities.

The Kenyans were church faithful from the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) Thika Women's Guild.

The Coast Region Police Commander Ernest Mango said seven of those injured were in critical condition.

Seven of them died on the spot while the others succumbed as frantic efforts were made to clear the road and rush them to nearby hospitals.

The accident occurred at Makole village in Kibaha district.

Mr Mango said the injured were treated at Msata and Chalinze health centres but were moved to the Tumbi regional hospital in Kibaha district for specialised treatment.

The smash up involving the two buses and two lorries caused a heavy traffic jam that frustrated efforts to rush the injured to hospital.

“The pile up blocked the highway on both sides from 5.30am to about 12.30 pm when we managed to remove the wreckage and resume smooth follow of traffic,” said Mr Mango.

Mr Mango said, according to initial reports, one of the buses had burst a tyre and overturned, landing in a ditch.

“The second bus passed them and made a U-turn some 500 metres away."

At the scene, a lorry heading in the same direction rammed one of the bus.

“The lorry driver apparently lost control and brakes appeared to have failed. It hit the stationary bus and veered off, colliding head on with another lorry moving in the opposite direction,” said Mr Mango.

The women's group was headed to the Tanzanian capital, Dar es Salaam for a retreat.