Likoni Ferry Accident
-Tuesday, January 29, 2013 - The driver of the truck that rammed into ferry users in Likoni on Saturday has denied charges pressed against him. The deadly accident saw 11 people die and left scores of others in critical conditions.
Appearing before Mombasa Senior Resident Magistrate Irene Ruguru, Mr. Ali Abdullahi denied the allegations of causing death through dangerous driving saying that he lost control of the lorry.
Abdullahi is still in police custody until the mentioning of the case on February 21st.
Eleven people are dead and several others are injured after a lorry crashed into passengers waiting to board the likoni ferry early this morning. The driver of the lorry is said to have lost control of the truck as it approached the ferry entrance. Earlier on our reporter ferdinand omondi spoke to eye witnesses and the immediate former area mp hassan joho this is what they had to say.
-More than ten others sustained serious injuries and were rushed to various hospitals in Mombasa.
Coast Provincial Police boss Aggrey Adoli confirmed the accident saying police suspect the driver lost control of the lorry after its brakes failed and rammed into the passengers in the 7am incident.
Confirming the incident, the Kenya Ferry Managing Director Hassan Musa Hassan feared that the number of deaths might increase due to the nature of injuries sustained by some of the victims.
Commuters at the scene claimed that the driver of the truck had not been signaled to get onto the ferry.
Transport Assistant Minister Hassan Joho said that his ministry will liaise with the Kenya Ferry Services to cater for the expenses for those injured.
The injured were rushed to Coast General Hospital, Likoni District Hospital and Msambweni District Hospital.
was carrying perfumes and cosmetics in 3,000 cartons worth of millions of shillings in a 40 feet container.
The truck was from from Tanzania, where it had loaded the goods, shipped from Dubai. The driver lost control and rammed into MV Likoni ferry killing three people on spot. The fourth person died while receiving treatment.
Three women were crushed to death by the container, while an 8-year-old boy succumbed to injuries at the Aga Khan Hospital. Scores of people were also injured.
Kenya Ferry Service management said 31 people were injured. Eight of them were rushed to Aga Khan Hospital. Ten to Coast Provincial General Hospital. Eight to Likoni District Hospital. Two to Navy Hospital, two to Savannah Hospital and one to Nyali Children’s Hospital.
Questions are now being raised as to how the lorry was allowed to pass through the Lunga Lunga border. The border post has recently become notorious for smuggling of goods right under nose of the security officers manning it.
KRA regional coordinator and communication officer Fatuma Yusuf admitted that Lunga border is porous. “We have a porous border. We are trying our best to keep it under our close watch. We call on wananchi to give us information on the movement of goods at the border," said Fatuma.
The driver of the ill-fated truck, 28-year-old Mohamed Bishar Ali, a Kenyan of Somali origin, may face murder charges. He was rescued by police, as rowdy commuters bayed for his blood. His other two colleagues escaped.
Coast traffic police boss Joshua Omukuta said the lorry's brakes failed as it waited in the queue. It knocked down commuters who were getting into the ferry.
“Our report show that the accident was caused because of careless driving," said Omukata. "We are have arrested the driver and will charge.”
KFS MD Hassan Musa said that they are looking into the accident and when the casualties are recognized the Insurance Company will compensate all those injured and the bereaved..
“We have insurance cover and we want to assure all that we have sent our representatives in all hospitals to confirm the reports and they will be compensated for the losses,” he said.
The truck had to be plunged into the water to ease traffic and avoid a stampede. Several politicians including Jubilee presidential candidate Uhuru Kenyatta ,William Ruto ,Chirau Mwakwere ,Ali Hassan Joho and Suleiman Shahbal are among those who consoled the injured. They sent their condolences to the bereaved families.
Speaking at Coast Provincial General Hospital, Uhuru called the for speedy completion of proposed Sh28.9 billion Dongo Kundu bypass project from Mombasa to the South Coast.
“It’s unfortunate that we continue to lose lives at Likoni channel. The project should be stepped-up to ease congestions at the busy channel,” said Uhuru.
He said the channel needs a bridge. Joho announced stringent laws to foster safety at the ferry but urged commuters should be careful at the channel when crossing.
“Be warned that we shall put in place strict rules to curb the same accidents happening in this place, people should be extra careful when at the ferry and observe the rules set.” he warned.
Ref: Source: Standard Digital/Google
http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/ktn/video/watch/2000063320/News-Likoni-ferry-tragedy
LIKONI CHANNEL
ReplyDeleteThe Likoni Ferry is a boat service across the Kilindini Harbour, serving both the island city of Mombasa and the Kenyan mainland town of Likoni. Two double-ended ferries alternate across the harbour, carrying both road and foot traffic. The ferries are operated by the Kenya Ferry Services (KFS), and is the only remaining ferry service by KFS. The Likoni ferry started operting in 1937. Passenger services are free while vehicles have to pay a ferry toll.
The Mombasa side terminal of the Likoni line is located at the southern end of the Mombasa Island. The distance of the line is about 500 metres.
There are five operating ferries.MV Mvita and MV Pwani were bought in 1969 and 1974, respectively. MV Nyayo, MV Harambee and MV Kilindini were bought second hand in 1990. KFS is in process to buy two new ferries, but the order was repeatedly delayed.[1] The two arrived in June 2010. They have been christened as MV Kwale and MV Likoni
Three of the operating ferries, MV Harambee, MV Nyayo and MV Kilindini have been deregistered from Lloyd's Register (an international maritime classification society), being not seaworthy [2] As at May 2011, at least MV Nyayo was in use as the relief ferry, now painted blue.
Charges
The KFS does not charge people. However Motor vehicle are chargedMotorbike pays 60/=; Saloon car 75/=; Matatu 165/=; Mini bus 365/= and Bus 650/=.