The Kenyan Navy divers retrieved the body of a man from the Indian Ocean in Mombasa after a vehicle plunged into the water early on Saturday.

Kenya Ferry Services (KFS) said a saloon car with an unknown number of occupants on Saturday morning plunged into the Indian Ocean on the Mainland side of the Likoni channel.

The motorist driving the car, whose registration number plate has not yet been established, drove off to the ramps with high speed to the ocean even after being flagged by KFS ramp controllers at around 4:20 a.m. (1:20 GMT) despite efforts to slow him down and stop.

"The occupants in the car have not yet been established." KFS said in a statement earlier before the retrieving of the body.

The KFS said its response rescue boat responded immediately, together with Kenya Navy, police and other agencies.

"Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers go to the family and friends of the lost lives. We will keep updated on the progress of the recovery." KFS said.

The incident comes barely three months after a middle-aged mother and her four-year-old daughter died after their car slid from the rear of the ferry just before it docked on the Island side.