Three Missing After Race Boat Capsizes in Mombasa
A boat carrying 22 people capsized during a race at the East African Ocean Festival in Tudor, Mombasa, on Friday, October 10, 2025. Nineteen individuals were rescued, but three remain missing as search operations continue.
Rescue Efforts Underway
The Kenya Red Cross confirmed the incident occurred at Tudor Water Sports. “A boat carrying 22 passengers capsized… 19 people have been rescued, while 3 remain missing,” the agency stated. A multi-agency search and rescue team is actively combing the area to locate the missing persons.
The festival draws hundreds of participants and spectators annually, highlighting concerns over safety protocols during maritime events in the region.
Recurring Maritime Incidents
This tragedy follows another boat capsizing just weeks earlier in Lamu County. On September 19, 2025, a racing boat overturned off Manda Island due to strong winds. Eighteen people were rescued by local volunteers using small, under-equipped boats.
Faiz Amana, a Lamu community leader, described the challenges faced during that rescue: “Our boat is small and has no capacity, but we still managed to save them.” He noted some victims struggled to swim or breathe, underscoring the dangers of unregulated water sports.
Calls for Stricter Safety Measures
The back-to-back incidents have intensified calls for improved oversight of marine events along Kenya’s coast. Authorities are now under pressure to enforce mandatory safety checks, deploy trained lifeguards, and restrict high-risk activities during adverse weather.
Mombasa County officials have yet to issue a formal statement, but local leaders are urging organizers to prioritize participant safety over spectacle in future festivals.
