FISHERMEN in Kilifi have warned the public against swimming in the Indian Ocean with jewellery. The fishermen said “underworld creatures” are attracted to jewellery.
Speaking at the Mafumbini beach in Kilifi, the deep sea fishermen from Tanzania said the seashore along Kilifi town is home to genies (underworld creatures).
Salim Abdalla, a diver who helped retrieve the body of a university student who drowned last week, said most people who drown at the scene where the student was last seen are normally attacked by the genies. “This area is very dangerous and is not a safe place for swimming especially to people who are first time swimmers in the ocean,” he said.
During the rescue mission for the university student, Salim allegedly found a 500ml bottle of mineral water at the base of the underwater cave where he found the body stuck. “The bottle was full of water and some other creatures. That’s why it did not float. Under normal circumstances such a bottle should float,” said Salim.
He said the body had abnormalities and blood oozed from the mouth and nose of the deceased while his stomach had not swollen as would have been expected after staying in water for two days.
“When someone drowns, we expect the stomach to be full of water because they will gulp a lot. We believe this one was attacked by genies and that’s why there was blood in his mouth and nose,” he said.
The Kenya Red Cross in Kilifi has also warned the public against swimming in the area. Kilifi Red Cross search and rescue operations manager Caleb Otieno said most students from Pwani University have ignored several warnings from divers against swimming in the area.
“This place has several underwater caves and it’s not a safe place to swim. It is easy to drown especially during high tides,” he said. Most fishermen along the Coast perform rituals before venturing into the deep sea.