Ferry accidents may not be that often but when they happen, they leave a trail of terror and disaster in their wake.
Majority of the ferry accidents we have been attributed to may be congestion or mechanical problems. The constant breakdown of ferries at the Port of Mombasa, which could have been caused by burst fuel pipes and lack of proper servicing has put many people’s lives at a great risk.
Here are some of the worst ferry accidents to ever happen in Kenya
1. Mtongwe Ferry Accident which happened in 1994
Arguably the worst maritime disaster in Kenyan history, the MV Mtongwe ferry accident happened on April 29, 1994. MV Mtongwe was bound for the mainland when it capsized just 40 meters from the port. 400 people were on board against the capacity of 300 people when the incident occurred and only 128 people made through the killer channel and 272 people died on that day, the highest number to be ever recorded as far as maritime disasters are concerned. So grave was the disaster that even songs were composed about the incidents and are being listened to to date.
2. Likoni Channel Accident
It was a normal Tuesday morning on January 29, 2013, pedestrians were boarding the ferry when disaster struck. A truck rammed into ferry users in Likoni Killing 11 passengers driver of the truck that rammed into ferry users. The deadly accident left 11 people dead and scores of others in critical conditions.
3. MV Nyerere
The MV Nyerere happened on Thursday in Lake Victoria in Kenya. The death toll climbed to more than 100 on Friday, as Tanzanian rescue workers pressed on with searches to find scores of more people feared drowned.
The MV Nyerere may have been carrying as many as 200 passengers — double the ferry’s capacity — when it capsized close to the pier on Ukara Island on Thursday, according to reports on state media.