Three fishermen have been reported missing at sea after their boat capsized in the Indian Ocean at Kiwayu island in Lamu East on Thursday afternoon.
One fisherman was rescued.
News of their accident became apparent on Friday after they failed to return to their respective homes.
All the four fishermen hail from Kizingitini village and were heading to the high seas in Kiwayu and Ndau on their usual fishing spree before their boat christened ‘Subira’ was overpowered by the strong winds and tides and capsized throwing all the occupants into the Ocean.
The surviving fisherman Omar Shali says he had to swim for hours to safety and reported the incident to Kiwayu area chief.
Those missing have been identified as Athman Ali Gogo, Lali Shali and Huri Kale Shebwana.
“I just recall all of us being thrown into the water then I didn’t see my friends after that. I hope they are somewhere safe and will be found,” said Shali.
While confirming the accident, Lamu County Commissioner Joseph Kanyiri said a search and rescue has already been mounted for the missing three.
“We are aware of a vessel called Subira that capsized. One person is safe but three remain unaccounted for. The only challenge is that the area where they capsized has very rough tides thus giving the search team a hard time but hopefully we shall find them alive,” said Kanyiri.
Kanyiri reminded fishermen in Lamu to always keep in touch with their respective Beach Management Units-BMUs while at sea so as to enable for prompt interventions whenever something goes wrong.
Lamu is not new to accidents or people going missing while at sea.
On June 1 this year, two fishermen perished after their boat capsized at Manda-Maweni area around Lamu town.
The worst ever sea accident in Lamu’s history was that of August 13,2017 when ODM politician Shekue lost 12 family members, including his four young children, wife, sister, nieces and nephews after their boat capsized at Manda Bruno area.
Only the politician survived the accident having to endure harrowing long hours of swimming to safety.
On June 20 last year, 10 people perished after a dhow they had boarded capsized at the Mkanda channel in Lamu East.
