MOMBASA, Kenya, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- Seven passengers from Comoros who were onboard a boat lost their lives after drowning in waters a few kilometers from Kenya's north coast.

Kenyan Defence Forces (KDF) said in a statement issued in Nairobi on Tuesday said eight other citizens from Comoros were rescued on Monday evening after the boat they were travelling capsized following heavy waves in the Indian Ocean.

"The incident occurred when a small boat ferrying 15 Comorians from Nzuani Island to Mayotte Island developed engine problems and started capsizing," KDF said.

The survivors were rescued by fishermen and Kenya Coast Guard Service personnel and taken to a local hospital with reports indicating that they were dehydrated, hungry and weak because of lack of food and water.

The Comoros sailors said through a translator that their boat developed mechanical problems, that were made worse by strong tides.

Among the survivors are two women, one of whom is pregnant.

Kenya Navy officers said they had intensified efforts to retrieve the bodies while communicating with relatives of the deceased.

Peter Njeru, Coast deputy regional commander, said security agencies are interrogating the survivors to obtain more information about the boat accident in the Indian Ocean waters. Enditem

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