The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has halted the operations of all Modern Coast buses.

In a statement released on Monday, July 25, the authority announced that it had launched investigations following the tragic accident that claimed at least 34 lives on Sunday, July 24.

The suspension affects 31 buses plying all the seven routes across the country.”Following a fatal road traffic crash that occurred on Sunday 24th July, 2022 at the Nithi Bridge, Tharaka Nithi County that has since claimed the lives of 33 passengers, the Authority hereby halts the operations of Modern Coast Express Limited.

“A thorough multi-agency investigation into the crash and an evaluation of the operator’s safety operational standards is currently underway. We condole with the families of those who lost their loved ones in this tragic crash and wish quick recovery to those undergoing treatment,” read the statement in part.

The routes are Nairobi-Mombasa, Mombasa-Mtwapa – Kilifi – Malindi – Witu – Mpeketoni – Lamu as well as Nairobi-Nakuru – Kisumu – Kakamega – Busia.

The other four routes are Nairobi – Nakuru – Kisumu – Eldoret – Malaba, Nairobi-Narok – Kisii – Homabay – Migori – Isibania, Mombasa – Makindu – Wote – Kitui – Machakos and Nairobi – Thika – Embu – Meru – Maua.

The crash, whose death toll hit 34, took place on Sunday at the notorious Nithi blackspot when the bus veered off into the river.

Media reports indicated that the bus’ brakes failed, causing the bus to hit the guard rails and plunge into River Nithi.

Tharaka Nithi County Police Commander Donatha Chali, in a statement to the press on the night of the accident, noted that crash occurred after the driver approached the bridge at high speed and ignored the traffic signs alerting motorists to slow down.

In an earlier statement, Gerald Fredrick, an employee of Modern Coast Bus Company, noted that 39 passengers had booked to travel on the bus but it was not clear how many occupants were in the 57-seater bus at the time of the accident.

He also believed that the accident may have claimed other lives apart from those in the bus.

“From our records, 39 passengers had booked their travel but only 34 showed up. The total occupants of the bus when it left the station was 36 – including the driver and conductor,” Fredrick explained.

Rescue operations are still ongoing at the scene of the accident.