A ferry disaster on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe has claimed numerous lives, with rescue operations continuing in the aftermath of the Tuesday capsizing. The vessel, which was designed to accommodate 90 passengers, was significantly over capacity at the time of the incident, carrying 114 adult passengers, five crew members, and an unknown number of children, according to Zimbabwe’s civil protection authorities based on ticket records.
The ferry encountered rough conditions while traveling from the lakeside town of Kariba toward nearby islands and fishing camps. Witnesses reported that the boat began taking water approximately 30 minutes after departing, before ultimately overturning in large waves. A specialized underwater recovery team was deployed to the location to assist with ongoing search and rescue efforts as authorities worked to account for missing passengers.
Lake Kariba, situated along Zimbabwe’s border with Zambia, is the world’s largest artificial lake by volume. The waterway has a documented history of maritime incidents, including a 2014 tragedy in Zambian waters that claimed 26 lives, mostly children. The latest capsizing underscores ongoing safety concerns surrounding vessel operations on the expansive body of water.
Originally reported by Theguardian →
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