Three people have gone missing after their vehicle was attacked on Lamu's Lamu-Witu-Garsen highway by suspected al-Shaab terrorists.

Several vehicles travelling between Mombasa and Lamu were assaulted by militants in Lamu's Koreni district early Tuesday. During the incident, one of the automobiles, a Toyota Probox, was shot many times.

A similar-model vehicle tried a U-turn to dodge the attackers but lost control, went off the road, and landed in the bush.

Two of the occupants of the first automobile were located safe and sound after fleeing the scene of the attack; three others from the car that rolled into the bush have been reported missing.

Several other cars caught up in the early morning turmoil could turn around and cut their excursions short.