A police boat patrols the Likoni crossing channel during the operation to recover the ferry tragedy victims. /CFM.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 10 – Divers were on Thursday expected to retrieve a car believed to be the one that slid off the ferry in Likoni Channel and plunged into the Indian Ocean 11 days ago with a mother and daughter on board.
Government Spokesperson Cyrus Oguna on Wednesday announced that a wreckage had been spotted but it was not certain if it was the one with the two bodies.
“We are asking for patience since we don’t want to interfere with the day to day activities here in Likoni, but I want to assure you that by the end of the day the exercise will be complete,” said Oguna.
According to the government’s spokesperson, the car was discovered at 58 metres deep at the sea bed of the Likoni crossing channel, but they were yet to confirm if bodies were intact.
He said the government was providing counseling services to the family.
“Counseling services have been going on and it will not end when the vehicle will be recovered,” he said, “it will continue until such a time that those doing the services will determine that they are strong and stable enough to be left alone to go on with their lives.”
35-year-old Mariam Kighenda and her 4-year-old daughter Amanda Mutheu drowned when their vehicle plunged into the ocean from the ferry.
The operation to recover the car and its occupants was being undertaken by 8 South African divers who joined the multi-agency team and other experts from the Kenya Navy, Kenya Ferry Services, Kenya Ports Authority, the Kenya Coast Guard service and Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute.
Motorists and ferry passengers hang by the thread on the daily crossing. /COURTESY.
About The Author
