Tonnes of Unrefined Oil Spilt After Cargo Train Derails in Kibwezi, Makueni

A Nairobi bound cargo train derails at the Kibwezi area of Makueni on September 18, 2024
A Nairobi-bound cargo train derails in the Kibwezi area of Makueni on September 18, 2024
Photo
Teacher Simon

Unestablished quantities of unrefined oil were on Tuesday noon spilled after a freight train lost control and derailed at the Kibwezi Area within Makueni County.

The train which was en route to Nairobi from Mombasa veered off rail before rolling over, leading to the spillage. 

Upon noticing the accident, locals carrying jerricans rushed to the scene and began siphoning the oil.

However, police officers quickly intervened and sealed off the area to block any contamination and interference with the scene.

A cargo train ferrying unrefined oil en-route to Nairobi from Mombasa on September 18, 2024
A cargo train ferrying unrefined oil en route to Nairobi from Mombasa on September 18, 2024
Photo
Mwalimu Simon

No causalities were reported from the incident with police officers cordoning the scene to pave the way for investigations.

In the footage obtained by Kenyans.co.ke, two wagons were recorded leaning on one side while the other parts remained intact.

Meanwhile, the area residents were captured watching the events from a distance even as police officers attempted to get the train back on track.

It is not the first time that a cargo train has derailed in Kenya while transporting unrefined oil. In August 2020, a train transporting fuel derailed and overturned at Kibarani in Mombasa County. 

A police statement revealed that the train was ferrying 250,000 litres of Super Petrol when one of its wagons derailed at around 11 pm.

The situation forced the police officers to block the road from Makande to Changamwe Roundabout to avoid any potential interference.

A section of the Makupa Causeway was also closed indefinitely in both directions as firefighters responded to the incident.

However, no deaths or injuries were reported from the night accident.

Photo of synthetic oil being put on a car engine
Photo of synthetic oil being put on a car engine
Photo: Lesueur Car Company
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