2 dead as boat ride turns tragic at Mombasa Pirates Beach

2 people drowned at the popular Pirates Beach in Mombasa on Christmas Day after their boat capsized. 

Police said there were 12 people on board the boat when the incident happened.

Mombasa County Police Commander Stephen Matu said the two were among 12 family members who had travelled from Nairobi and had hired a boat for a short trip into the deep seas off the usually crowded public beach in the outskirts of Mombasa city. 

In the Sunday evening incident, the family of 12 from Nairobi lost two of their relatives, a man, and a woman.

According to police, one member is still in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Infants aged between three and five months, who were part of the family during the incident, are in stable condition.

The others were successfully rescued as lifesavers and well-wishers answered their distress calls.

They were rushed to a private hospital in Mombasa for treatment.

"I call on Kenyans and visitors visiting Mombasa to exercise caution, especially during this time," Matu added.

Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) intensified the beach-safety awareness campaign to sensitise the public.

"Professional lifeguards have taken up watch of the beaches with KMA ensuring visitors stick to the dos and don’ts at the recreational area," KMA chairman Hamisi Mwaguya said.

“We are striving to have zero per cent incidents during the festive season.”

Mwaguya said that they would be intensifying their safety campaigns and deploying more officers on the ground to make sure such incidents don't happen again.

"It is unfortunate that we have had this incident as the holidays are just starting. I want to urge holidaymakers to be careful as they enjoy the oceans and the beach," he said.

He asked Kenyans to make sure they are wearing safety jackets when boarding boats.

He also called on boat operators to make sure their boats are safe and can be able to sustain people in case of a tragic accident.

The Pirates Beach in Mombasa is usually jammed during the holidays. The bodies of the deceased were taken to Coast General Hospital mortuary.