Three injured after ship bursts into flames at Kisumu port

Ships at Kenya Ports Authority harbour in Kisumu on Lake Victoria. Three people were seriously injured on September 9, 2016 after their ship burst into flames at Kisumu port. PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The Tanzanian vessel, MV Coke, had just loaded petrol from the Kenya Pipeline depot and was about to start its journey to Bukoba, Tanzania when the incident happened few minutes after 11 am.
  • Port manager Mwalimu Disi told the Nation that the three Tanzanian crew members were awaiting clearance with the immigration department before their voyage could take off.

Three people were seriously injured after their ship burst into flames at Kisumu port on Friday.

The Tanzanian vessel, MV Coke, had just loaded petrol from the Kenya Pipeline depot and was about to start its journey to Bukoba, Tanzania when the incident happened few minutes after 11 am.

Port manager Mwalimu Disi told the Nation that the three Tanzanian crew members were awaiting clearance with the immigration department before their voyage could take off.

“I was at the office when I heard some explosion, followed by loud wails outside. When I went out to see, I met someone walking naked and was badly burnt,” said Mr Disi.

He said he made emergency calls for fire brigade and ambulance to fetch the injured who were rushed to Aga Khan Hospital.

Mr Disi said there were delays in clearance during the time and that the trio were warming up their engine for the journey.

“They were in the engine section when the explosion happened resulting to a fire. We are glad that the Kisumu county fire brigade team responded speedily to put out the fire which we had tried to contain,” said the manager.