One body retrieved after the Mombasa boat tragedy
By Faith Lagat, October 12, 2025The MV Dragon boat capsize during the East Africa Ocean Festival at Tudor Water Sports in Mombasa took a tragic turn as authorities confirmed the recovery of one body on Sunday, October 12, 2025.
The incident, which occurred on Friday, October 10, 2025, involved a boat carrying 22 passengers that overturned during a dragon boat race, leaving three individuals missing.
The Kenya Red Cross reported that 19 passengers were rescued following the accident, which unfolded just meters from the finish line, turning the event into a scene of panic and emergency response.
Leaders address community grief
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir visited the site of the tragedy alongside Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Mvita MP Mohamed Machele, and Jomvu MP Bady Twalib.
“We listened to the anger and grief of a community mourning three young lives lost in their prime. We share in their pain and we owe it to them to ensure such a tragedy never happens again,” Governor Nassir wrote in an X post.
He confirmed the earlier recovery of one body and noted that search and rescue operations would continue until the remaining two missing individuals are found and returned to their families for a dignified burial.
“We can confirm the recovery of one body. The search and rescue operation continues until the remaining two are found and returned to their families for a dignified burial.”
Multi-agency response
The East Africa Ocean Festival, intended to celebrate marine tourism, water sports, and environmental conservation, had attracted participants and spectators from across the region. However, the event turned tragic when the boat capsized, prompting immediate response from multiple agencies.
Survivor Marvin Mejole recounted the ordeal to the press on October 11, 2025:
“Response was very slow; we struggled a lot before we got help. By the time they reached where we were, there were only two boats, and there was only one ring floater that was thrown to help save us.”
Another participant, Ishmael Onyango, highlighted the absence of life jackets during the race:
“None of us had life jackets on during the race. We received an invitation to participate in the dragon boat race and had been practising since Monday. We used life jackets during training, but on the event day, only one team had them. We were almost at the finish line when our boat capsized. Everything happened so fast.”
Governor Nassir emphasised the County Government of Mombasa’s commitment to support the Kenya Maritime Authority in enforcing maritime safety regulations at private events.
He confirmed that a multi-agency team, including the Kenya Navy, Kenya Coast Guard, and local fire and rescue units, continues the search, while the Kenya Red Cross has set up a support desk for affected families.