Disir
Platinum Member
- Sep 30, 2011
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A dam burst in Kenya on Wednesday night after heavy rain, causing "huge destruction" and killing at least 27 people, police say.
The breach happened on farmland near the town of Solai, 190km (120 miles) north-west of the capital, Nairobi.
The dead are thought to include children and women trapped in mud.
The Kenyan Red Cross says it has rescued some 40 people so far. More than 2,000 people are said to have been left homeless.
Local officials say the full extent of the damage is not yet clear.
There are fears the death toll could rise as the search-and-rescue operation continues.
Nakuru County police chief Gideon Kibunjah said that 27 bodies had been recovered so far.
This included 11 bodies, mostly of women and children, covered with mud at a coffee plantation, an unnamed police officer told AFP news agency.
It seemed that they had been fleeing, but "could not make it due to the force and speed of the water from the flooded dam", the officer added.
'Huge destruction' as Kenya dam bursts
That's horrific.
The breach happened on farmland near the town of Solai, 190km (120 miles) north-west of the capital, Nairobi.
The dead are thought to include children and women trapped in mud.
The Kenyan Red Cross says it has rescued some 40 people so far. More than 2,000 people are said to have been left homeless.
Local officials say the full extent of the damage is not yet clear.
There are fears the death toll could rise as the search-and-rescue operation continues.
Nakuru County police chief Gideon Kibunjah said that 27 bodies had been recovered so far.
This included 11 bodies, mostly of women and children, covered with mud at a coffee plantation, an unnamed police officer told AFP news agency.
It seemed that they had been fleeing, but "could not make it due to the force and speed of the water from the flooded dam", the officer added.
'Huge destruction' as Kenya dam bursts
That's horrific.
