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Eighteen passengers were pulled from the Indian Ocean after a boat taking part in a race capsized off Manda Island in Lamu County; rescuers continue to search for several missing people as questions arise over maritime safety and weather preparedness.
Lamu, Kenya — 2025-09-19 14:00 EAT. At least 18 people have been rescued after a boat capsized off the coast of Manda in Lamu County on Friday morning. Authorities say several passengers remain missing as search-and-rescue operations continue.
Incident: Boat capsized during a local boat race in Manda waters.
Casualties: 18 rescued; number of missing passengers yet to be confirmed.
Cause: Strong winds reportedly overturned the vessel.
Response: Community members and fellow competitors assisted in the initial rescue before authorities arrived.
Faiz Amana, Community Leader: Described the rescue as challenging due to small boats with limited capacity.
First Responders: Treated survivors for breathing difficulties and hypothermia at the shoreline.
Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA): Expected to investigate causes and recommend safety measures.
Lamu has seen multiple accidents in recent months; three boats capsized in May, sparking calls for tighter maritime safety regulations.
Informal water transport remains poorly regulated despite being the lifeline for many coastal communities.
Safety campaigns often fail to reach local operators, especially around small fishing villages.
Public Safety: Lack of enforcement on life jacket use and boat capacity limits increases risks.
Tourism: Recurring accidents could deter visitors to the popular coastal county.
Policy: May trigger renewed debate on maritime regulations and emergency preparedness funding.
Exact number of passengers aboard the ill-fated boat.
Whether the boat met required maritime safety standards.
Timeline for full search-and-rescue conclusion.
Sept 19, 10:00 a.m.: Boat capsizes during race in Manda waters.
Sept 19, Noon: 18 people rescued by locals and competitors.
Sept 19, Afternoon: Search-and-rescue mission continues; KMA announces probe.
Kenya Maritime Authority investigation findings.
Potential safety reforms for informal maritime transport.
Identification of missing passengers and casualty updates.
