8 Comoran fishermen stranded at sea for 21 days rescued, 7 others dead

KILIFI,Kenya, Aug 10 – About three weeks ago a group of 15 fishermen from the island nation of Comoros off the Indian Ocean Coast set out on a fishing expedition aboard a speed boat. Little did they know however the unforgiving Indian Ocean tide would set them on a course that some would not return from.

21 days later, Monday evening, 8 of the fishermen were found stranded at Wasini Island shipwrecked and later rescued by local fishermen who notified the Kenya Coast Guard Service and the Kenya Navy.

The 8 fishermen were quickly then transported to Watamu and later to the Malindi sub county hospital by the Kenya Navy.

According to Dr. Joab Gayo, the medical superintendent Malindi sub county hospital, the 8 patients had exhibited severe m,malnutrition symptoms and some were in critical condition after experiencing kidney failure.

“We are treating them like surgical patients who can’t take solid food, they are currently on oral sips. Three of them are in critical conditions and some of them have pressure soreson their body. They are psychologically traumatized but we are providing counseling and they are on special diet.” said Dr, Gayo.

According to the Kenya Navy, the fishermen left Comoros 21 days ago.

Days into their expedition, they started experiencing engine failure and were subsequently pushed by strong winds completely losing track of where they were.

“They were found lost at sea in Kenya’s maritime waters, we are amazed how they have been surviving on salt water…it is amazing they survived in that environment,” he said.

During the journey, 7 fishermen among them two women are said to have died while at sea.

Officials from the Comoros island have since confirmed their identities and notified their immediate kin of their whereabouts.

“We are not giving them the normal food, they are on special nutritive supplements which are taken as drinks. We can not quickly allow them to eat because they have been on salt water for 21 days and their digestive body needs to come to terms that there are no longer taking salt water, their digestive system is further corroded with salt water.” said Dr., Gayo.

They will be treated and kept in observation before being released.

In recent weeks, several fishermen from Tanzania have also been rescued by the Kenya Navy after being stranded at sea after their vessels experienced technical difficulties.