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A pregnant woman was among 12 passengers who were rescued in Lamu on Tuesday, May 14, after the boat they were in developed mechanical problems.
The boat, nicknamed the Sailors, was ferrying passengers using speed boats to connect from Gamba to Lango la Simba.
According to witnesses at the scene, as reported by Citizen Digital, the boat was overwhelmed by strong water currents, sending the 12 passengers to panic.
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"The rescue team managed to rescue all the passengers before the worst happened. However, a pregnant woman who was among them sustained injuries from the unfortunate incident," Paul Kimani a boat said.
The Director of Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA), Edward Longo, called on boat riders to take caution and avoid using areas with strong currents.
KMA calls come barely a day after one person died after their boat developed mechanical problems.
The residents have settled on using boats after the Tana River broke its banks, leading to overtopping of the road, paralysing transportation activities.
Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) announced the closure of the road on Saturday, May 11.
"The Kenya National Highway Authority regrets to inform the public of the closure of Garsen-Witu-Lamu A7 Road between Gamba and Lango la Simba. This follows heavy downpours experienced upstream that have resulted in the Tana River breaking its banks and subsequent overtopping of the road," KeNHA stated.
Youths helping residents cross the flooded road want rains to continue, as they are making a living from ferrying residents' luggage.
With the exemption of the sick, the youths were charging KSh 200 per person and KSh 300 for luggage.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
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Residents getting into a boat in Tana River.
Lamu: Boat with 12 Passengers on Board Swept Away by Water Currents
Lamu: 12 passengers, among them a pregnant woman saved from sinking boat