A family holiday for an Australian family took a tragic turn when their four-year-old son drowned in the swimming pool of the Nyali Reef Hotel in Mombasa.
The family, originally from South Sudan, was vacationing in Mombasa when the unfortunate event occurred on Christmas Eve.
Authorities reported that the boy was found submerged around midday while other guests were enjoying the amenities of the hotel.
An investigation into the incident is currently underway, according to the police.
A representative for the family expressed their profound grief over the loss.
He mentioned that the child’s body was transported to Nairobi on Sunday, awaiting decisions regarding burial arrangements.
Law enforcement officials stated that they are looking into the circumstances surrounding the incident and have taken statements from hotel staff who were on duty at the time.
The family has raised concerns regarding potential negligence on the part of the hotel.
Jarso Halake, the hotel’s general manager, indicated that they are cooperating with the police and are actively addressing the situation.
“We have engaged with all relevant parties to resolve the matter,” he stated, without providing further details.
Such incidents are not uncommon in swimming pools, with officials attributing the occurrences to insufficient supervision of activities.
Authorities have urged hotels to enhance monitoring, particularly in pool areas, to prevent similar tragedies, especially during the busy festive season when many facilities are fully booked.
