Tragedy struck in Miritini, Mombasa, as five people, including a heavily pregnant woman, lost their lives when a wall collapsed during a burial ceremony on Monday afternoon.
The victims had gathered to view the body of the deceased when the nine-metre-high wall gave way, crushing those who had sought shelter from a sudden downpour.
Mombasa County Executive Member for Transport, Dan Manyala, confirmed the incident, revealing that three people died instantly while two others succumbed to their injuries en route to the hospital. “The woman was heavily pregnant, so essentially we lost six people in this tragedy,” he stated.
The wall collapse, attributed to a brief but intense rainstorm accompanied by strong winds, left the community reeling. Witness Rashid Foya, a boda boda chairman, recounted the horrifying moment: “The rain came with a strong wind that brought down the wall. It took less than two minutes, and many people were taking cover near the wall.”
In the wake of the disaster, Mr Manyala assured the public that the remaining section of the wall would be demolished to prevent further harm.
Mombasa has experienced heavy rains in recent days, with brief but powerful downpours causing widespread disruptions.
This tragedy is part of a string of recent fatal incidents in Kenya, including a train derailment that left one dead and 46 injured, and ongoing road accidents that have claimed 1,189 lives since January 2024.
The community mourns the loss of lives as authorities continue to investigate and address the risks posed by deteriorating infrastructure in the area.
