Thirty-nine people traveling on a passenger boat from Kenya to Zanzibar were rescued off the Kwale coast on Saturday morning after rough seas caused the vessel to capsize. According to police and the Kenya Coast Guard Service, all passengers and crew were accounted for with no injuries or fatalities reported.
A maritime emergency unfolded on Saturday morning roughly 10 miles east of Shimoni in Lunga Lunga Subcounty, as a passenger vessel encountered treacherous weather conditions while en route to Pemba Island in Zanzibar, according to local authorities.
Rough Seas Threaten MV Siri ya Mafanikio Off Kwale Coast
According to police and the Kenya Coast Guard Service (KCGS), the vessel was carrying 30 passengers alongside 10 crew members when it was struck by heavy tides. The boat encountered strong winds, powerful currents, and high waves in deep waters off the Kwale coast, forcing the vessel to begin capsizing.
The deteriorating maritime conditions prompted an immediate response from emergency responders stationed along the coast. Officials from the Kenya Coast Guard Service, working alongside personnel from the Kenya Navy, deployed to the scene immediately after receiving reports of the incident.
Joint Rescue Operation Saves All 39 People On Board
The combined intervention of the Kenya Coast Guard Service and Kenya Navy units successfully saved everyone aboard the distressed vessel. Rescue teams managed to rescue all passengers and crew members before towing the damaged boat back to safety at Shimoni Port.
Police confirmed that all 39 people on board were safely accounted for following the rescue operation. Authorities reported that no injuries or fatalities occurred during the maritime emergency.
Kenya Coast Guard Service Launches Investigation Into Saturday Incident
Following the successful towing of the MV Siri ya Mafanikio to Shimoni Port, officials announced that further inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the capsizing are underway. The Kenya Coast Guard Service took charge of the investigation on Sunday to examine the factors that led to the vessel’s distress in deep waters.