17 Catholic Pilgrims Killed in Horrific Crash While Traveling to Prayer Shrine

A journey of faith ended in tragedy after 17 Catholic pilgrims lost their lives in a devastating multi-vehicle crash in Kenya.

The accident occurred shortly after midnight on October 3, 2026, in the Salama area along a major highway leading toward the coastal city of Mombasa. The group was traveling to the Subukia National Shrine for a National Prayer Day gathering.

According to police, the collision happened after a truck driver attempted to overtake another truck but failed, triggering a crash involving several vehicles, including a minibus carrying the pilgrims.

All 17 people inside the minibus, including the driver and 16 passengers, died at the scene. Most of the passengers were women. Several other people were also injured and received medical treatment.

The tragedy sent shockwaves through the Catholic community. Martin Kivuva, archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa, expressed sorrow over the deaths and called for prayers for the victims, their families and their parish community.

Kenyan President William Ruto also offered condolences to the grieving families and the wider Catholic community.

The country’s National Transport and Safety Authority launched an investigation to establish the full circumstances of the crash. Officials also warned motorists to avoid dangerous overtaking and exercise caution on the stretch of road, which has been identified as a collision hotspot.

For the families and loved ones left behind, a trip intended for prayer and spiritual reflection has become an unimaginable loss.

Source: PEOPLE

Additional source: Associated Press