KDF issues update on Mombasa tragic boat accident
By Cynthia Lodite, October 13, 2025The Kenya Defence Forces have issued an update on the tragic Mombasa boat accident during the East African Ocean Festival at Tudor Watersports in Mombasa County.
In a statement on X on Monday, October 13, 2025, KDF announced that so far, officers from KDF took over the rescue operation on Friday, October 10, 2025, where 19 people were rescued then.
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“Personnel from the Kenya Navy successfully rescued 19 people after a boat capsized during the East African Ocean Festival at Tudor Watersports in Mombasa County,” KDF said.
On the other hand, KDF revealed that the boat, which had carried 22 people, capsized, leaving three individuals missing, where one body was retrieved on Sunday, October 12, 2025.
“The boat, operated by members of the Kijiweni Youth Group, had 22 people on board, leaving three individuals still missing,” KDF noted.
The officers further revealed that the three who were rescued are in critical condition and were rushed to Coast General Hospital for urgent medical attention.
“Among those rescued, three were in critical condition and were immediately rushed to Coast General Hospital for urgent medical attention,” KDF said.
Following the incident, Kenya Navy personnel, in collaboration with other government agencies, the Kenya Red Cross, the Mombasa County Government, and members of the local community, launched a coordinated search and rescue operation led by the Kenya Navy Diving Unit to locate the missing persons in the suspected areas.
Tudor Creek boat tragedy
On the other hand, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki announced that so far one body has been recovered following the Tudor Creek boat tragedy.
Kindiki confirmed the incident after passing by Tudor Creek, Old Town, Mombasa, on Sunday, October 12, 2025, to console with the Bangladesh area residents following the boat tragedy.
“The national government and the county government of Mombasa will support the families of those who lost their loved ones in the tragedy. 19 were rescued on Friday, one body was recovered today, and the search effort is continuing for two missing persons,” he said.
“The government will also support the brave locals who were the first responders and who helped save lives. Psychological-social support will also be provided to the survivors who were left visibly shaken by the incident.”
Kindiki lauded all agencies, including Mombasa Governor Abdul Swamad Sharrif Nassir, involved in search and rescue, and for standing with the residents and families at this difficult moment.