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KPA Confirms Crane Incident Following Social Media Reports

KPA Confirms Crane Incident Following Social Media Reports
The Kenya Ports Authority headquarters located at Bahari Towers in Mombasa. Photo Cyprian, Is Nyakundi

Kenya Ports Authority clarifies crane incident after viral social media reports.

The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has issued an official confirmation regarding the crane incident operational event involving a Rubber-Tyred Gantry (RTG). This comes after incident reports went viral on social media platforms.

According to a press release shared on its official X account on September 18, 2026, KPA cleared the air after viral footage of crane incident showed a stack of shipping containers tumbling from the crane’s reach.

“KPA confirms that an operational crane incident involving an RTG occurred and was immediately attended to by the Authority’s safety and emergency response teams in accordance with established procedures,” the statement detailed.

Viral reports on social media suggested major equipment failure and structural collapse during the afternoon shift.

KPA Confirms Crane Incident Following Social Media Reports
Screengrabs from footage showing the scene after stacked containers toppled over at the Port of Mombasa on September 17, 2026. photo | file

Confirming the incident, KPA says they have activated internal emergency protocols to secure the affected berth, assess physical damage, and provide necessary medical attention.

Port management sought to reassure maritime stakeholders, logistics operators, and the public that the event did not lead to any tragic outcome or severe casualty.

The official release further confirmed that the truck tractor (TT) operator involved in the handling process emerged completely unharmed.

“Following assessment and treatment, he was discharged and cleared by the attending medical team,” the release noted regarding the crane operator, who sustained minor soft-tissue leg injuries and received prompt care.

KPA Crane Incident Clarification and Port Safety and Operational

The clarification comes at a crucial time as stakeholders remain sensitive to maritime safety, following a separate fatality earlier this year when a cargo rigger was killed at Berth 14.

KPA has further mobilized standby equipment to ensure container traffic continues with minimal delay, avoiding operational bottlenecks at Kenya’s key economic gateway.

They have further said internal safety teams are currently conducting a comprehensive review to determine the root cause, while urging the public to refrain from spreading unverified reports that cause unnecessary alarm.

KPA Confirms Crane Incident Following Social Media Reports
Kenya Ports Authority Managing Director Captain William Ruto addressing the media in Mombasa on July 8, 2026. PHOTO/KPA

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