Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

top

County News

Search underway for bodies of at least 4 people who drowned when their vehicle plunged Indian Ocean

The Kenya Ferry Services (KFS) which operates vessels between the Likoni mainland to Mombasa island was joined by Kenya Navy, Kenya Red Cross, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and Mombasa county disaster management teams as the operation resumed/FILE – KFS

MOMBASA, Kenya, Sep 30 – A search was underway Monday bodies of at least four people who drowned when a station wagon plummeted into the Kilindi Harbour on Sunday.

The Kenya Ferry Services (KFS) which operates vessels between the Likoni mainland to Mombasa island was joined by Kenya Navy, Kenya Red Cross, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and Mombasa county disaster management teams as the operation resumed.

The salvage operation was called off Sunday night over lack of equipment to carry out a night search.

The vehicle has since been identified as Toyota ISIS, is said to have been inordinately reversed plunging into the sea as the KFS vessel it was on crossed the busy channel.

According to Likoni OCPD Benjamin Rotich, the vehicle slid off the ferry while midstream. The police boss said there were four occupants in the station wagon but KFS said there were only two occupants.

The ferry, MV Harambee, is said to have been from the mainland side (Likoni) plying to the island side (Mombasa town).

“The ferry was about to reach the island side, when the driver reversed and plunged into the ocean. We suspect that the driver was an amateur. However, we are still investigating the issue,” said Rotich.

The ferry, MV Harambee, is said to have been from the mainland side (Likoni) plying to the island side (Mombasa town)/FILE – KFS

However, KFS, through a statement to newsrooms on Sunday, said the vehicle had two occupants.

“It is with sadness that we confirm an accident occurred on board MV. Harambee which was plying from mainland to the island side at 1815hrs, when a saloon car alleged with two occupants reversed and plunged into the sea midstream,” the statement read.

“Neither the car nor the occupants have been retrieved. We share our sincere sympathies to the affected as the salvage operations continue,” said KFS.

About The Author

Comments
Advertisement

More on Capital News