Commuters boarding MV Harambee ferry in Likoni were on Tuesday left terrified after one of the passengers’ phone burst into flames.
According to the Kenya Ferry Sevices, the incident happened at around 9 AM when the male passenger attempted to open the cover of his “faulty” cell phone.
The terrified man threw the phone in the ocean as other passenger scampered for safety.
The ferry staff and police onboard responded and contained the situation.
Reports indicate that the passenger sustained minor injuries during the accident.
Read: Controversy Surrounds Ksh200,000 Offered By KFS To Family Of Likoni Tragedy Victims
“At 0900hrs onboard Mv.Harambee,a male passenger’s faulty phone battery burst into flames as he opened its cover, our staff & Police onboard responded. Police investigations are ongoing, ” Kenya Ferry Services wrote on Twitter.
At 0900hrs on board Mv.Harambee,a male passenger's faulty phone battery burst into flames as he opened its cover,our staff & Police onboard responded. Police investigations are ongoing. #likoniferry @Ferrykenya @PSSDTransport
@Kenya_Ports @TransportKE
@Estherkoimett pic.twitter.com/qNbFFk3EAJ— Ferry Kenya (@FerryKenya) October 29, 2019
The incident comes at a time the Kenya Ferry Services is in scrutiny over recent disturbing incidents.
On Tuesday, the senate heard that all the five ferries operating across the Likoni Channel are unsafe.
Read Also: Shame As Mayfair Insurance Company Capitalises On Likoni Tragedy For Publicity
Documents tabled in the Senate indicate that MV Kilindini, MV Kwale, MV Nyayo, MV Harambee and MV Likoni do not meet international safety regulations. This is despite the government spending millions of shillings for their repair.
Two weeks ago, MV Likoni stalled mid-journey in the Likoni channel an incident that left passengers panicking.
This was just days after the bodies of Mariam Kighenda and her and her four-year-old daughter were retrieved from the seabed 14 days after the car they were travelling in plunged and sunk into the Indian ocean.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@kahawatungu.com or WhatsApp +254707482874. You can also find us on Telegram through www.t.me/kahawatungu