Kenyan navy rescues 8 Comorians in Indian Ocean; 7 die in tragedy

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) - Navy medics from the Kenya Navy Hospital are treating eight Comorians on Tuesday who were rescued by the navy after a boat accident.

Kenya Defense Forces said the victims were in a team of 15 and were traveling on a small boat to Mayotte Island from Nzuani Island when their boat developed mechanical problems and stalled before it capsized.

The Comorians were rescued and taken to the Malindi subcounty hospital.

“The team, led by Major Charles Dulo attended to the survivors of a boat wreck which occurred at the deep sea off Watamu,” Kenyan Defense Ministry said in a statement.

"The crew were stuck at sea for 22 days, unfortunately losing seven sailors."

The accident comes one month after soldiers from the Kenya Navy Special Boat Unit (SBU) rescued seven civilians in the Indian Ocean whose boat was headed to Somalia and experienced mechanical issues and capsized.