Four individuals were rescued and transported to medical facilities following a boat accident in Lamu County.
The Kenya Red Cross verified the incident on May 21, which took place at Kwa Bruno Channel near the LAPSSET region in Lamu County.
Search and rescue operations were in progress when this report was published.
According to the Kenya Red Cross, “Search and rescue operations continue after a boat capsized at Kwa Bruno Channel near the LAPSSET area in Lamu County.” They added, “Four individuals have been rescued and hospitalized, while search efforts persist for four missing persons.”
The rescue mission involves Kenya Red Cross aquadivers, Beach Management Unit (BMU) officials, and local fishing vessels, with the humanitarian organization confirming all teams are actively participating in the operation.
The Kenya Red Cross noted that their aqua divers are collaborating closely with local responders and fishermen as the operation advances in the region.
Lamu County has documented at least six marine accidents this year alone, adding to numerous boat capsizing incidents in the area over recent years.
The Fisheries and Sea Transport Department (FSTD) reports that marine accidents are a recurring problem, historically resulting in 12 to 15 deaths yearly across the archipelago’s deep-sea channels.
Within this year, six marine incidents have already transpired, leading to multiple deaths and disappearances, including a collision at Kilindi Channel on May 9 and today’s incident at Kwa Bruno Channel.
Last year, five significant marine accidents were reported, causing ten fatalities, when an improvement in local community rescue deployment was noted. Meanwhile, 2021 witnessed an extreme surge with twelve boats capsizing, resulting in the deaths of seven fishermen within a single week.