Mombasa Boat with 22 Passengers Capsizes
A boat carrying 22 passengers capsized on Friday, October 10, 2025, during the East Africa Ocean Festival held at Tudor Water Sports in Mombasa. The tragic incident left three people missing, while 19 others were rescued by emergency response teams.
According to a statement released by the Kenya Red Cross, the boat overturned during the lively event that had drawn hundreds of spectators and participants eager to celebrate the region’s vibrant maritime culture. The organization confirmed that a major search and rescue operation was launched immediately after the accident.
“A boat carrying 22 passengers capsized during the East Africa Ocean Festival at Tudor Water Sports. So far, 19 people have been rescued, while three remain missing. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with a multi-agency team actively working to locate the missing persons,” the Kenya Red Cross said in an update shared on social media.
What had started as a cheerful day of music, water sports, and cultural showcases quickly turned into panic and chaos. Onlookers screamed for help as rescuers and volunteers rushed to pull survivors from the water. Emergency responders, including divers and medical teams, battled strong tides and fading daylight as they tried to save lives.
Authorities said the ongoing rescue operation involves the Kenya Coast Guard, Kenya Red Cross, police marine unit, and local divers. The difficult conditions in the Indian Ocean, including strong currents and poor visibility, have slowed progress.
The East Africa Ocean Festival, which promotes marine tourism, environmental conservation, and regional unity through water-based activities, was seen as a major boost for coastal tourism. The festival had attracted visitors from across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Following the tragedy, organizers suspended all remaining events to allow search operations to continue and to support affected families.
Residents and leaders in Mombasa have called for stricter safety measures and enforcement of marine safety regulations to prevent similar incidents in future festivals.
As of Friday evening, the Kenya Red Cross confirmed that rescue teams remained at the scene, vowing not to stop until all missing persons were found.
Mombasa Boat with 22 Passengers Capsizes
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