This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-25483720
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Kenya train crashes into homes in Nairobi's Kibera slum | Kenya train crashes into homes in Nairobi's Kibera slum |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Several people have been injured by a freight train that crashed into homes in the Nairobi slum of Kibera. | |
The train derailed while passing through the slum - one of Africa's largest - on its way to Uganda. | The train derailed while passing through the slum - one of Africa's largest - on its way to Uganda. |
There were fears that scores of people could be trapped in their homes. | |
But as the rescue effort got under way, local people suggested that many not have been in their homes - having either left for church or gone back to their villages for Christmas. | |
At least six people have so far been taken to hospital, Transport Minister Joseph Kamau told reporters at the scene. | |
The fire department confirmed this. Spokesman Johnson Mia said: "Most of them were crying out from the structures that were crushed and they couldn't move, but we managed to dig out and rescue them." | |
Teams from the Red Cross and St John Ambulance have been helping with the rescue effort. | |
Residents were reportedly angry at the slow pace of the rescue effort. | |
Isaac Ongiri from the Daily Nation newspaper said police were trying to find a way of getting rescue equipment into place to help reach the trapped people. | Isaac Ongiri from the Daily Nation newspaper said police were trying to find a way of getting rescue equipment into place to help reach the trapped people. |
But he told the BBC: "Navigating through the shanties to get to the scene is difficult." | |
Other reports suggested that large crowds at the scene were also hampering rescue efforts. | |
There are also reports that a tank containing flammable fuel is leaking on to the tracks. | There are also reports that a tank containing flammable fuel is leaking on to the tracks. |
Kibera is estimated to have a population of around 250,000. | |
Mr Kamau said residents had long been warned not to put up houses next to the railway line. | |
"We have always warned people against encroaching on the line," he was quoted as saying. | "We have always warned people against encroaching on the line," he was quoted as saying. |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
Read the terms and conditions | Read the terms and conditions |