Two die as SGR bridge collapses

The Standard Gauge Railway bridge left two dead and five others injured when it collapsed along the Maai Mahiu channel line in Nakuru County.(COURTESY)

By.Riyaq Ahmed

NAIROBI—A Channel along the Standard gauge Railway line collapsed in Maai Mahiu, Naivasha leaving two people dead.

The two who were working under the China Road and Bridge Construction company  died on arrival at a local hospital on Monday evening.

The section was weak following rains in the area over the past week said a worker who declined to be named.

“We heard a bang then screams followed. Its true seven people were injured during the incident and unfortunately, we have lost two of them,” said the source.

He further said that they did not have protective gears and helmets when the accident happened.

Survivors said the victims were working on the bridge when a channel caved in and buried them alive.

Maai Mahiu Officer Commanding Police Station Ezra Sambu, said the injured workers will be transfered to Kijabe Mission Hospital.

“Investigations have started to establish if it was as a result of negligence,” said Mr Sambu.

Bodies of the deceased were taken to Naivasha Sub-County Hospital mortuary.

The China Road and Bridge Construction company has been hiring locals as it constructs the 120-kilometre of the railway line that runs from Mombasa.

The incident comes a week after 150 workers from the Pipeline camp downed their tools to protest risks associated with their job.