This archive report was first published on 26 December 2019.
On December 8, eight Kenyan fishermen embarked on a routine fishing expedition from Ziwayu beach on the north coast. However, they failed to return, sparking a desperate search effort.
According to Malindi Sub County Police Commander Vitalis Otieno, the fishermen's boat was taken to the deep waters and capsized due to strong winds. The eight men were left to fend for themselves in the ocean for 18 days.
"Their boat were taken to the deep waters and capsized by strong winds and they have been in the ocean," Otieno confirmed.
Thanks to the efforts of marine police on patrol on Christmas Day, the eight fishermen were spotted and rescued. They were rushed to Malindi Sub County Hospital for a medical check-up.
"The actual date of their disappearance was not reported to us but friends and relatives say they went in their normal fishing expedition but failed to return on December 8," Otieno told Xinhua on Wednesday.
A citizen-run rescue organization, Coast Sea Survival team, officially known as Captain Shallo, confirmed that they received the missing alert on December 8.
"One of the survivors is a close relative to my wife. We have been following their disappearance until their rescue today," Captain Shallo said.
Despite the challenges they faced, the eight fishermen managed to survive on raw fish and other sea creatures. Their rescue is a testament to the resilience of the fishermen who risk their lives to make a living in the Indian Ocean.
