The search for two men who disappeared after the boat they were traveling in capsized entered its second day on Tuesday morning.
The boat which was ferrying stones from Manda to Pata Island’s capsized on Sunday.
According to eyewitnesses, the boat had been carrying 250 blocks of stone and four men.
The blocks were to be used for the construction of the ongoing Pate seawall.
Three missing in Lamu boat accident
However, two men were rescued while their counterparts disappeared.
Though the boat is suspected to have capsized due to overloading, a section of Lamu leaders have rubbished those claims saying the boat capsized due to high tides that were experienced in the Indian Ocean on Sunday.
“The boat is thought to have capsized due to the high tides experienced in the Indian Ocean. Sadly, the team did not manage to get the two remaining crew members and the rescue mission continues tomorrow.” The Lamu senator Anwar Loitiptip said on Monday.
14 fishermen rescued after their boats capsize in Lamu
The search for the missing Lamu boat operators is being spearheaded by among others the Kenya Maritime Authority, the Kenya Marine Police and the Lamu Branch of the Kenya Redcross Society.
The boat accident happened at the dreaded Mlango wa Pate channel which is characterized by powerful tides.
The two men who were rescued are currently receiving treatment at the King Fahad hospital in Lamu.
Lamu county whose public transport system is majorly consisted of boats has had its own share of marine accidents.
In June 2018, Three fishermen disappeared after the boat they were traveling in capsized in Ndau village in Lamu.
Two months later, the Kenya Maritime Authority cautioned boat owners in the county to navigate carefully after a pontoon detached from the Mtagwanda jetty and disappeared into the Indian Ocean.
