The three people who went missing after a dragon boat capsized during the East African Ocean Festival in Mombasa have been found dead, marking the end of a four-day search and recovery mission.
MOMBASA, Kenya, Oct 13, 2025 — The search for three people who went missing after a dragon boat capsized on Friday during the East African Ocean Festival at Tudor Creek has ended after their bodies were recovered, authorities confirmed.
One body was retrieved on Sunday afternoon, while the remaining two were found late Monday night, bringing the total death toll from the tragedy to three.
Officials said the multi-agency rescue and recovery operation — involving the Kenya Navy, Kenya Coast Guard Service, Mombasa County Fire and Rescue Services, Kenya Red Cross, and volunteer divers — has now been officially closed.
“We have recovered all the three missing persons. The operation is now complete,” said Hamisi Mwaguya, Chairperson of the East African Ocean Festival Organising Committee. “We deeply mourn the loss of lives and extend our condolences to the affected families.”
The tragedy struck on Friday when a dragon boat carrying 22 members of the Kijijweni Beach Management Unit (BMU) team overturned near the finish line. Nineteen participants were rescued.
Preliminary reports revealed that none of the crew members had life jackets or other safety gear at the time of the accident — a lapse that has triggered public outrage and renewed scrutiny over safety standards during marine sports.
On Sunday, human rights defenders led by She Rises Executive Director Salma Hemed accused the Mombasa County Government and event organisers of negligence, citing poor coordination and inadequate safety measures.
“Lives were lost because safety protocols were ignored, and the county’s emergency response was too slow,” said Hemed, who called for a full investigation into the tragedy.
County officials have defended their response, saying rescue teams were deployed immediately and worked with national security and emergency agencies throughout the search.
Meanwhile, counsellors from Mental Health Innovations and Research (MEHIR), led by Dr. Soud Ali Tengah, have been offering psychosocial support to grieving families and survivors since the incident occurred.
“As the recovery operation concludes, our thoughts are with the affected families. We continue providing psychological and emotional support as the community mourns,” Dr. Tengah said.
The East African Ocean Festival, now in its second year, brings together teams from across the region to promote marine sports, ocean safety, and the blue economy.
Organisers say activities will remain suspended until a comprehensive safety review is completed.
