Lilian Nyiva
Kenya Railways has released preliminary findings following a fire involving a Mombasa-bound cargo train, saying initial investigations suggest the blaze was caused by mechanical damage to the locomotive's fuel tank.
In a statement, the corporation said the train, operated by Tata Chemicals Magadi Ltd, caught fire at Simba Station while operating along the Magadi rail corridor on Wednesday. According to Kenya Railways, the damage to the fuel tank is believed to have caused fuel leakage, which subsequently ignited and sparked the fire.
Investigations Ongoing
The corporation emphasized that investigations are still underway to determine the exact cause of the incident and establish the sequence of events that led to the fire.
Kenya Railways said it has dispatched response teams to the scene and is working closely with Tata Chemicals Magadi Ltd to assess the situation and support recovery efforts. More information will be released once investigations are complete.
No Casualties Reported
Authorities said there were no immediate reports of injuries or fatalities following the incident. Emergency teams responded to contain the blaze and secure the affected section of the railway line.
The affected train was transporting cargo along a key industrial railway corridor that plays an important role in moving goods between Magadi and other parts of the country.
Safety Concerns
The incident has renewed attention to the safety and maintenance of Kenya's railway infrastructure, particularly freight locomotives operating on the metre-gauge railway network.
Kenya Railways reiterated that investigations remain ongoing and assured the public that it will provide
