Three missing after boat capsizes during Mombasa's East African Ocean Festival

According to an official statement from the festival’s organizing committee, the incident involved the Kijiweni Beach Management Unit (BMU) team during one of the festival’s competitive races.

Nineteen team members were successfully rescued following the capsizing, while a search is ongoing for three individuals who remain unaccounted for.

A coordinated rescue operation is currently underway, led by the Kenya Navy and the Kenya Coast Guard Service, with support from other emergency response teams. Authorities have emphasized that the safety of participants remains a top priority.

In response to the incident, all remaining festival activities were suspended to allow full focus on the search and recovery efforts.

“Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the families, teammates, and all affected,” read part of the organizing committee’s statement.

The East African Ocean Festival is a major annual event celebrating maritime sports and coastal culture, drawing teams and spectators from across the region.