A family vacation in Mombasa turned into a heartbreaking tragedy after two children drowned in a swimming pool at an apartment complex in Nyali on Wednesday.
The victims, aged 13 and 9, had travelled from Nairobi earlier that morning with their family for what was meant to be a joyful coastal holiday.
How the Tragedy Unfolded
According to police reports, the father left the apartment with three of his children to buy lunch, leaving the rest of the family at the premises.
While away, he received a frantic call from his wife informing him that two of their children had drowned in the swimming pool.
Despite being rushed to Gertrude’s Hospital in Mombasa, both children were pronounced dead on arrival.
A Playful Swim Turns Fatal
Authorities revealed that the girls were among 10 children swimming in the pool at the time of the incident. Tragically, the fun quickly turned into panic as the two failed to resurface.
The victims were laid to rest on Thursday at a local cemetery, leaving the family and the Nyali community in deep grief.
Police Urge Caution Around Swimming Pools
Mombasa police have urged parents and guardians to exercise heightened supervision when children are near or inside swimming pools, especially during holiday seasons when excitement can lead to lapses in safety.
According to the World Health Organization, drowning remains one of the leading causes of accidental deaths in children globally, with inadequate supervision being a major factor.
For more safety tips and related news, visit our Kenya News section.
