LAMU, Kenya, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's rescuers have retrieved six bodies from the boat which capsized following heavy tides in the Indian Ocean on Monday.
Coast regional police commander Larry Kieng said two people including a local politician and a captain of the boat were rescued alive, noting that the boat was carrying 11 family members from Kizingiti to Lamu County when it capsized.
"The search and rescue operation has so far retrieved six bodies including three children. It seems the politician survived the tragedy but lost his entire family," Kieng said.
Lamu's Operation Linda Boni Director Joseph Kanyiri said the boat was carrying 11 family members when it capsized due to heavy tides.
He said a team of Kenya Navy and Marine police are currently conducting search and rescue operations in the Indian Ocean.
"We were alerted of the incident and dispatched marine patrol boats for rescue and search. The politician was rescued alive and is in stable condition," said Kanyiri.
He said a search for other family members including his wife and children is ongoing.
Kanyiri also said search efforts were being hindered by high tides at the ocean.
In June, nine people were killed when a passenger boat capsized in the Indian Ocean in Lamu.
The boat was on its way from Lamu Island to Ndau village in Lamu East when it encountered rough tides at the Mkanda channel. About 30 passengers were on board.
