Nairobi, April 6 (IANS): At least 13 people were killed and three others injured in a road accident early Saturday in eastern Kenya.

Traffic police commandant Charlton Mureithi said the accident occurred when a minibus (matatu) plunged into a river on Machakos-Kitui road, Xinhua reported.

"Thirteen people died while three others were injured in the road accident," Mureithi said.

Police chief Joseph Mugo said the accident occurred when the 14-seater matatu lost control and plunged into the river. "The passengers were reported to have been travelling for a pre-wedding event," Mugo added.

Despite the latest accident, government officials said accidents have been on the decrease in Kenya this year due to the introduction of stringent traffic rules.

According to the police in Kenya, more than three quarters of those killed through road accidents are males and about half are children.

A humanitarian agency recently launched highway emergency rescue centres to help reduce rising road accidents in various parts of the East African nation.

The Highway Emergency Rescue Project (HERP) set up by St John Ambulance Kenya are manned by community volunteers who live or work nearby and have been trained in first aid, emergency response and firefighting.