A tragic maritime disaster on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe has claimed at least 92 lives following the capsizing of a ferry vessel six days ago. Zimbabwean authorities confirmed the updated casualty figures on Monday after recovering eight additional bodies, bringing the total from the previous count of 84. Officials characterize this incident as the deadliest ferry disaster in the country’s history.
The vessel overturned during severe wind conditions on the lake near Zimbabwe’s border with Zambia. While authorities established the ferry’s official capacity at 90 passengers, questions remain about the actual number aboard at the time of the accident. Earlier reports suggested the boat may have been carrying substantially more than its rated limit, with estimates reaching as high as 153 people total.
Recovery operations continue with significant resources mobilized for the search. Authorities have deployed multiple boats and over 40 divers to locate remaining victims. Officials expressed confidence that all bodies would eventually be recovered as they surface. Among the deceased are at least 18 children, and hundreds of families gathered at local medical facilities to identify their loved ones.
The ferry was traveling from Kariba town toward northwestern communities when the accident occurred. Water transportation remains essential in this region due to insufficient infrastructure and inadequate road conditions. President Emmerson Mnangagwa characterized the tragedy as exposing critical safety deficiencies requiring immediate government attention.
Originally reported by Aljazeera →
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