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Key Points

The bodies of five Keralites, including two children, have been brought back from Kenya after a tragic bus accident. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan intervened to waive the Yellow Fever certificate requirement for repatriation. The victims were part of a tourist group from Qatar visiting Kenya when their bus overturned. Kerala ministers and NORKA Roots representatives received the bodies at Cochin airport.

Key Points: Kerala Mourns as Kenya Bus Crash Victims' Bodies Return Home

  • Five Kerala natives died in Kenya bus crash on June 9
  • CM Vijayan secured exemption for Yellow Fever certificate
  • Victims included two young children
  • Group was on sightseeing tour from Qatar
2 min read

Bodies of 5 people killed in Kenya bus accident brought to Kerala

Bodies of 5 Kerala natives, including 2 children, killed in Kenya bus accident arrive in Kochi after CM Vijayan secures exemption for repatriation.

"The State Government, led by CM Pinarayi Vijayan, intervened promptly to facilitate the return of the bodies. - Official Statement"

Kochi, June 15

The bodies of five Indians who lost their lives in a bus accident in Kenya have been brought to Kerala, flying in a Qatar Airways flight and landing at Cochin International Airport on Sunday.

Five locals from Kerala, including two children died in a bus accident in Kenya's capital on June 9, with 23 people being injured too. According to the Indian Embassy in Qatar, the Indians are undergoing treatment for any injuries in the country, while the post mortem of the five deceased have been completed.

In the accident, Jasna (29), her daughter Ruhi Mehreen (1.5), Geetha Shoji Isaac (58), Riya Ann (41), and her daughter Tira Rodrigues (7) lost their lives and were brought back to Kerala.

According to an official statement while there were initial concerns regarding the return of the bodies due to the Yellow fever vaccination certificate being required. However, after Kerala Chief Minister's request, the Central government has granted an exemption.

"The State Government, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, intervened promptly to facilitate the return of the bodies. Initially, there were concerns regarding the Yellow Fever vaccination certificate requirement for the deceased and their accompanying relatives. However, following the Chief Minister's intervention, the Central Government has granted a special exemption, allowing the bodies to be brought back without the certificate," the statement read.

Kerala industries minister P Rajeev and NORKA Roots representatives received the bodies on behalf of the state government and arranged transportation to their respective homes. The relatives of the deceased also accompanied the bodies on the flight.

The bus accident occurred on June 9, when a tourist bus carrying 28 Indians, including the deceased, overturned in a valley in Naivasha, approximately 150 km from Nairobi. The group had arrived in Kenya from Qatar for a sightseeing tour.

The Indian High Commission in Kenya noted that the road accident occurred at Ol Jororok-Nakuru Road in Nyandarua County, in which 5 Indian nationals lost their lives. In a post on X, the High Commission said that the consular team from the High Commission is on the ground and is in close contact with the local authorities to extend all necessary support.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya K.
Heartbreaking news 😢 The loss of two small children is especially painful. Glad the government acted swiftly to bring them home. Shows how our systems can work efficiently when needed. My deepest condolences to all families affected.
R
Rahul M.
Why are we always hearing about accidents involving Keralites abroad? Our people work so hard in Gulf countries and then these tragedies happen during rare leisure trips. Need better safety awareness for Indian tourists traveling in foreign countries.
A
Anjali T.
The CM's intervention shows good governance. But why was yellow fever certificate a problem initially? Our embassies should have clearer protocols for such emergencies. Still, thankful the bodies could be brought back for proper last rites according to our traditions.
S
Suresh N.
Very sad news. But I must say the coordination between Kerala govt, central govt and Indian High Commission was commendable. At least the families got some closure by having their loved ones back home for final rites. Om Shanti 🙏
M
Meena P.
This is so tragic. Two mothers and their daughters gone in one accident. Makes you think how fragile life is. The Kerala government and NORKA Roots deserve appreciation for handling this sensitively. Hope the injured recover soon.
V
Vikram J.
While we mourn this tragedy, we must also ask - were proper safety standards followed by the Kenyan tour operator? Our embassies should maintain lists of verified service providers for Indians traveling abroad. Prevention is better than cure.

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