Likoni Channel closed temporarily as search for bodies begins

Two rescue boats carrying divers patrol the water in Likoni Channel as rescue operations begin. [Image: Courtesy]

A multi-agency team has started a search operation to retrieve a car that plunged into the Indian Ocean with two passengers onboard.

The team, comprising of Kenya Navy, KPA, Kenya Fisheries Research Institute (KEFRI) and Private Contracted Divers, said by Monday they had identified two positions, 75ft and 173ft, at which the vehicle could be.

Kenya Ferry Services said transport along the Likoni Channel had been halted as divers begin search for the bodies.

“This is to notify ferry users that due to the ongoing exercise of retrieving the sunken vehicle we are likely to experience delays between 30 minutes to one hour as ferry movement is affected,” KFS said in a tweet.

All vessels along the channel have been cleared, this includes inbound and outbound ship to ensure safety of the divers.

Mariam Kigenda and her daughter Amanda Wambua who died instantly after sinking with their vehicle along the Mombasa's Likoni Channel in the Indian Ocean in Mombasa County after they reversed from a ferry. [File, Standard]

On Monday, the Kenya Ferry Services Managing Director Bakari Gowa said experts established that the vehicle had sunk 60m, making it difficult to retrieve.

"We have carried out an assessment and established that the place where the vehicle sunk is 60m deep and requires specialised equipment to retrieve," said Gowa.

Locals witness the search operations to retrieve bodies from the Indian Ocean. (Maaruf Mohammed, Standard)

The family protested the delay, saying they were contemplating hiring private divers to retrieve the bodies.

 “The ferries are operating normally as we remain here as bystanders. The KFS officials are behaving like nothing happened,” Catherine Wanjala, sister of Mariam Kighenda, the victim told journalists on Monday.