Doha | At least five Indian nationals belong to Kerala state, residing in Qatar, were killed after their bus met with an accident in Kenya, where they were on a holiday, the Embassy of India in Doha said on Tuesday.

"A group of 28 Indians from Qatar were visiting Kenya, where their bus met with an unfortunate road accident yesterday," the mission said in a post on X.

As per available information, five Indian nationals have lost their lives in the accident, it said.

Officials from the High Commission of India in Nairobi are on the ground and extending all help, it added.

"We are deeply saddened by the tragic road accident on Ol Jororok-Nakuru Road in Nyandarua County, in which 5 Indian nationals have lost their lives," the High Commission of India in Nairobi posted on X.

"Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. We pray for the swift recovery of the injured. 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. We can be reached at +254 734916532," it added.

The Indian mission in Qatar said it was in touch with the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC), Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF) and other community groups in Doha.

"We extend sincere condolences to the families and friends of those who have unfortunately passed away. Our Embassy could be reached on mobile number +974 55097295 for queries/assistance," it added.

The Gulf Times newspaper reported that the bus the Indian tourists were travelling in got out of control and fell into a gorge in the northeastern county of Nyandarua.

Citing community sources, the paper said that at least five tourists from south India have been killed in the accident.

However, the identity of the dead is yet to be verified, while 27 are injured and admitted to various hospitals in Kenya, it added.

Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday expressed deep sorrow over the death of Keralites in a road accident in Kenya.

In a statement, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said at least five Keralites are feared dead, though the Indian High Commission in Nairobi has yet to officially confirm the names of the victims. The tourists had arrived from Qatar.

A tourist bus carrying a group of 28 Indian nationals met with the accident at around 7.00 pm IST (4.30 pm Kenyan time) on June 9 in a region about 150 kilometres from Nairobi, the statement said.

The CMO said members of the Loka Kerala Sabha in Kenya and the Kerala Association of Kenya reached the accident site soon after the news broke.

NORKA Roots, the state-run agency for Non-Resident Keralites, is coordinating support efforts through its global contact centre, it said.

Indian nationals injured in the accident-- including Keralites -- are being shifted to major hospitals in Nairobi.

The CMO said that those still receiving treatment in the local hospitals would be moved by road or air ambulance.

The bodies of the deceased are also expected to be brought to Nairobi.

The Chief Minister conveyed condolences to the families of the victims and assured support.

Loka Kerala Sabha members have been working closely with the Indian High Commission and local authorities to help those affected, the CMO said.

For help and information, Keralites can contact the NORKA Global Contact Centre at 1800 425 3939 (toll-free in India) or +91 88020 12345 (missed call service for those abroad).

The Gulf Times newspaper reported that the bus the Indian tourists were travelling in got out of control and fell into a gorge in the northeastern county of Nyandarua.

Citing community sources, the paper said that at least five tourists from south India have been killed in the accident.

However, the identity of the dead is yet to be verified, while 27 are injured and admitted to various hospitals in Kenya, it added.