A boat collision in Kilindi, Lamu County, left 14 people injured and four in critical condition on Saturday, May 9, 2026, after two boats carrying passengers collided at sea.

The Kenya Red Cross said the incident involved 19 people in total. Four of the victims sustained serious injuries and were evacuated to King Fahad Hospital, while 14 others suffered minor injuries and received treatment at the scene.

The Red Cross confirmed that its response teams, including Community Disaster Responders and local divers, were deployed immediately after the incident.

“A boat capsize incident involving a collision between two boats carrying 19 people occurred this morning at Kilindi, Lamu County,” the Kenya Red Cross said in a post on X.

“Four critically injured casualties were evacuated to King Fahad Hospital, while 14 people with minor injuries were attended to at the scene.”

Recurring maritime risks

The agency did not immediately confirm what caused the collision, but local maritime accidents are often linked to poor visibility, overloading, and weak enforcement of safety rules. The area has seen several boat-related incidents in recent years, including capsizes and collisions involving passenger ferries and fishing vessels.

In August 2023, 35 students and several other passengers narrowly escaped death after a boat struck a rock near Lamu Port. Earlier incidents in the region have also resulted in fatalities, with authorities frequently warning about safety standards on water transport routes.

Residents rely heavily on boats for movement between islands and the mainland, especially in areas where road transport is limited or unavailable. This dependence has made the Indian Ocean routes around Lamu among the busiest and most vulnerable in the country.

Kenya Red Cross teams said they worked with local divers and community responders to stabilise victims and secure the area after Saturday’s collision.