Passengers panic as ferry overshoots ramp at Likoni

Travellers stranded aboard MV Kwale after it got stuck in the ramp on Mombasa Island at the Likoni crossing channel on April 10, 2017. PHOTO | WACHIRA MWANGI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The ferry was crossing from the island to the mainland when it stalls.
  • Panic-stricken passengers opted to alight from the ferry as security officers urged them to remain calm.
  • It took the intervention of MV Harambee which towed the stalled ferry.

There was panic Monday at the Likoni crossing channel in Mombasa when a ferry, MV Kwale, got stuck at the ramp for close to an hour.

The ferry was crossing from the island to the mainland when it stalls.

Panic-stricken passengers opted to alight from the ferry as security officers urged them to remain calm when it failed to take off.

“The engine was just on but it wasn't moving so we got frightened,” said Mwakulala Juma, a passenger.

It took the intervention of MV Harambee which towed the stalled ferry.

Participants attending the ICT Summit which is being held in Diani, Kwale County were delayed for almost two hours.

Kenya Ferry Services Principal Operations Officer Morris Kai said the ferry overshot when it docked at the ramp on the island causing it to delay the take-off.

“The problem is that the coxswain overshoot the ramp and the ferry got stuck due to the weight of motorists and passengers. That is what caused the delay,” Mr Kai said by phone.

He said the ferry went back into operation after engineers inspected it.

He added that the situation was even made worse by the low water tide at the time.