Woman tries to jump off Likoni ferry, hospitalised in Mombasa

Mombasa, Kenya: Rescue workers at the Kenya Ferry Services pulled out a woman from the Likoni channel after she attempted to commit suicide by jumping into the shark infested waters from a cruising ferry.

The woman whose name has been withheld jumped over board MV Nyayo as it was crossing the channel.

The 35-year-old is said to have jumped over board after a domestic wrangle at her home in Likoni.

Ferry officials said they were alerted that a woman had thrown herself overboard and immediately sent in a rescue team.

Rescue workers from the Kenya Ferry aboard Mv Safina Express rushed to the scene where they pulled the woman from the waters and performed first aid. They later handed her over to the police who in turn took her to the Coast General Hospital where she was admitted.

"We were told that she jumped from the ferry but our rescue team helped her out of the water and resuscitated her before taking her to the police. It is now a police case," Kenya ferry services public relations officer Aaron Mutiso told the Standard on Monday evening.

On Tuesday, Likoni OCPD Willy Simba, confirmed the incident saying police received information that a woman had jumped from the ferry in an attempt to take her life.

He said the woman was in stable condition following the incident but police were monitoring the woman's recovery and they are going to press charges for attempted suicide once she fully recovers.

"She was having domestic issues and tried to jump off the ferry. People should not try to attempt this as it is wrong. If you have troubling issues try and reconcile not kill yourself," said Simba.

Eyes witnesses said they saw a woman moving closer to the Ferry rails before she jumped into the water.

On Sunday another woman is said to have tried jumping into the ocean at the same place and ferry authorities have been on high alert over suicide attempts