14 people have been confirmed dead after a passenger boat they were traveling in capsized in the Mkanda Channel, Lamu County following heavy tides in the Indian Ocean.
Confirming the incident, Lamu East County Administrator Shee Kupi Shee said that eight bodies had been recovered at the scene of accident which happened at around 10.30am. Kupi said that 12 more people had been rescued while three women were yet to be found.
The boat is said to have been carrying over 30 passengers, and was headed to Ndau village in Lamu East when the tragedy happened.
“So far we have eight bodies that we have recovered including four children of between 10 to 12 years and four adults. We have saved 12 people while we are still searching for three women. I will give details later,”Kupi said.
Lamu Governor Issa Timamy, confirmed the incident and blamed the national disaster team comprising the Kenya Navy for their delay in launching the rescue operation.
“It’s very sad. This is a tragedy to Lamu. I am sending my message of condolence to the people of Ndau Island and Lamu County at large for the disaster that has befallen us.
“It is very unfortunate to lose our people in such a scenario. Many of those who have died are women and children,”Timamy said.
President Uhuru Kenyatta sent a message of condolences to the families of the victims saying it was “sad that the incident occurred at a time when majority of the people in the area are observing the holy month of Ramadhan”.
