Caught in storm: 5 killed, 6 others missing as boat capsizes in Tanzania

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania - Five people drowned and six others went missing after their boat capsized on Monday while en route from Zanzibar to the Pangani district of Tanzania’s Tanga region.

Local authorities said five bodies have been discovered in Mombasa, Kenya.

Pangani District Commissioner Musa Kilakala confirmed the tragic incident and said police have launched investigations into the incident.

“Our security forces are collaborating with their counterparts in Kenya to gather information. We will provide updates in due course,” Kilakala told Anadolu by phone.

The marine vessel, carrying a mix of ordinary citizens, entrepreneurs, and traders, was caught in a storm and lost in the deluge.

“We are actively working to locate the missing passengers along the Tanzania-kenya border,” Kilakala added.

In a separate development, relentless heavy rains continue to afflict southern Tanzania, particularly the Kilwa district of the Lindi region, causing widespread destruction of farms, homes, and roads.

Selemani Mnonya, a local leader in Kilwa’s Makangaga village, reported heavy flooding that has rendered homes uninhabitable. “Hundreds of people have evacuated their homes and are now seeking shelter in schools and public buildings. Urgent assistance is needed,” Mnonya told Anadolu.

Janet Mrosso, a Makaganga resident whose house was also destroyed, spoke about her family’s dire situation.

“Everything is gone. I don’t know what we can do. We urgently need food and medicine,” Mrosso appealed.

Local authorities have reported extensive damage across the rural Lindi region, with efforts underway to evacuate residents from hazardous areas and assess the full extent of the devastation.

Drone footage broadcast by local media showed the massive devastation caused by Cyclone Hidaya, including numerous collapsed houses and coconut trees, exacerbated by heavy rainfall and strong winds that disrupted ferry services between Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam.

Tanzania remains besieged by nature’s fury, with severe floods wreaking havoc across the country.