The Kenya Red Cross has provided an update on the bus that lost control and plunged into the Indian Ocean on Sunday, October 6, 2024, at the Mombasa Likoni Ferry.
According to the agency, twelve people were injured in the incident. Nine were treated at the scene, while three have been admitted to the hospital for further care.
“Red Cross volunteers based at the Rescue Center at the Likoni Ferry, in collaboration with the National Police, Kenya Ferry and Kenya Port Authority, responded to an emergency involving a bus at the Likoni Channel earlier today. Nine people were injured: seven were treated at the scene, while three were taken to the hospital. The Kenya Red Cross also provided psychosocial support services,” Kenya Red Cross said in a statement.
Earlier, an eyewitness told The Kenya Times that the bus was carrying goods with some passengers on board.
The witness explained that most of the passengers had already disembarked before the accident.
According to reports, the bus which was travelling from Nairobi to Ukunda when the incident happened.
Videos and photos of the were shared on social media showing how the incident happened.
Reports also indicate that the bus lost its brakes after crossing the likoni channel, careening backwards and colliding with a ferry.
“Its brakes failed, and it has also rained, and there was no way he could have controlled it,” a voice said in one of the videos.
In the video, a lady is heard saying that a bus has fallen from the ferry with passengers. “It is happening right now, there is a bus that has fallen from the ferry,” the lady said.
Rescue Operations
Local residents and divers from Kenya Ferry Services launched a rescue operation to save passengers trapped inside a bus. So far, six passengers have been rescued.
In another video, residents are seen rescuing passengers and retrieving remaining goods from the bus after it plunged into the ocean.
The voice in the background, who was explaining the incident said people were trapped in the bus after the incident. The man explains that the passengers were told to alight from the bus but some of them failed to listen.
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“There are people who are trapped in the water,” says the witness.
However, the witness later explains that every passenger was rescued and there were no casualties reported.
“It looks like they are all safe. We thank God, it looks like there no casualties here,” the witness said.
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Truck Likoni Indian Ocean Incident
This incident follows a truck losing control and nearly plunging into the Indian Ocean on Saturday, October 5, narrowly missing commuters.
A video shared on social media captures the truck with its cab submerged in the ocean while the cargo bed remains outside.
The event caused significant traffic congestion and attracted a large crowd of onlookers.
It also raised renewed concerns about safety along the busy ferry route, which has experienced several accidents in recent times.
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