Four people, including two children were injured after a Diani-bound bus plunged into the Indian Ocean at the Likoni Ferry crossing yesterday morning.

Witnesses said the bus, operated by Chania Executive Company, reversed dangerously toward the sea after disembarking from the ferry on the mainland side.

Michael Odera, a witness who narrowly avoided injury, recounted the frightening moments leading up to the incident.

“It was drizzling when we boarded the ferry from the island side. The bus was the last vehicle to enter the ferry after several smaller cars. I saw the driver step out, wearing a blue short-sleeved shirt, black trousers, and brown open shoes. He was chewing something, and when the ferry docked, he returned to the bus to drive it off.”

But something was off. As vehicles began disembarking, passengers were simultaneously walking out—an unusual breach of the strict safety measures that typically prevent pedestrians from exiting before the vehicles have cleared.

Leaving ferry

Odera said the approach of the bus on  leaving the ferry was strange from the start. Rather than making the usual left turn before heading straight, the bus veered awkwardly towards a slippery section of the ramp to the right.

“That side is always tricky, and with the drizzle, it was even more dangerous. Suddenly, the bus started struggling to climb, and then it reversed—fast,” Odera recalled, his voice still shaking. “People screamed. There was a woman inside with her baby. The bus nearly plunged fully into the ocean, but by some stroke of luck, it hit the prow of the ferry, avoiding a complete disaster.”

The bus, partially submerged after striking the ferry’s prow, was teetering on the edge of catastrophe. Rescuers, including volunteers and Kenya Red Cross officers, sprang into action. They smashed the bus windows to pull passengers to safety, preventing what could have been a devastating tragedy.

“We had to break the windows to get the passengers out before they drowned,” said one of the rescuers. Likoni sub-county police commander Geoffrey Ruheni said two women were rushed to Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital (CGTRH) where they are being managed for shock following the incident. Four people, including two children were injured after a Diani-bound bus plunged into the Indian Ocean at the Likoni Ferry crossing yesterday morning.

Witnesses said the bus, operated by Chania Executive Company, reversed dangerously toward the sea after disembarking from the ferry on the mainland side.

Michael Odera, a witness who narrowly avoided injury, recounted the frightening moments leading up to the incident.

“It was drizzling when we boarded the ferry from the island side. The bus was the last vehicle to enter the ferry after several smaller cars. I saw the driver step out, wearing a blue short-sleeved shirt, black trousers, and brown open shoes. He was chewing something, and when the ferry docked, he returned to the bus to drive it off.”

But something was off. As vehicles began disembarking, passengers were simultaneously walking out—an unusual breach of the strict safety measures that typically prevent pedestrians from exiting before the vehicles have cleared.