Commuters thrown into panic after ferry stalls

There was panic at the Likoni channel on Thursday morning after commuters were stranded after ferry stalled on the island side.

Hundreds of commuters were forced to jump from the Mv Kwale after it got stuck in mud following low water levels.

The ferry users among them women and children were required to move from the stalled ferry to Mv Kilindini which had come for their rescue.

Women had to carry their children and put them to Mv Kilindini which was able to dock at the ramp.

The Nation witnessed women struggling to move from the stalled ferry to the other during the 8.30am incident.

“I am glad that I have managed to come out safely, this is a disaster, some of us are using the channel but we do not know how to swim, they have to put professional rescuers in these ferries but not letting us to jump from one ferry to the other. It is very risky,” said one of the commuters.

KFS human relations manager Aaron Mutiso who was at the scene said the vessel stalled in the mud before it could dock well forcing the coxswain to move it.

“It was when the coxswain was moving it from the ramp to allow it to land well when it was drifted. We are glad that no one was injured as the process of relocating the commuters was done carefully,” said Mr Mutiso.

Last week, the same problem happened at the mainland side where a vessel failed to move after it temporarily stuck at the ramp.

Commuters were forced to move from the vessel and cross with Mv Nyayo which had just docked.