- At least 15 people have died after a boat carrying dozens of people sank on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe, with rescue operations continuing, officials have said.
- Police reported that 90 passengers and five crew were onboard the vessel when it capsized on Tuesday, but it may have been overloaded, with other reports pointing to a higher number based on the registered ticket sales.
- The vessel was hit by a strong wave and overturned, police added.
- The Zimbabwe's Civil Protection Unit (CPU) said that registered ticket sales showed 114 adults were on the vessel.
- At least 77 passengers had been rescued, and 15 bodies had been retrieved, according to the CPU.
- Local MP Mutsa Murombedzi has demanded that officials release the correct number of people onboard.
- Rescue efforts are ongoing with an underwater search team deployed, and assistance from helicopters and boats from Matusadona National Park and the army.
- Lake Kariba lies on Zimbabwe’s border with Zambia, more than 300km (186 miles) northeast of the capital Harare.
- It is the world’s largest man-made lake by volume and was created in the late 1950s and early 1960s by building a dam wall to block the Zambezi River.
At least 15 people have died and 27 remain missing after an overloaded ferry capsized on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe. The vessel, which was carrying 114 adults and five crew members, overturned on Tuesday after hitting strong waves, according to the Civil Protection Unit (CPU).19
Rescue operations are ongoing, with 77 passengers rescued so far. Witness Maxton Kanhema described the scene, stating, “People were in distress… There were bodies in the water and it was a sad situation to witness.” He noted that the vessel departed in bad weather, which may have contributed to the tragedy.
The boat, which provides transport between the northern town of Kariba and several islands, was reportedly overloaded, with registered ticket sales indicating a capacity breach. “We have very hard questions that require honest answers,” said local MP Mutsa Murombedzi, demanding clarity on the number of passengers onboard.6
The Zimbabwe national police service has deployed an underwater team for search and rescue operations on the lake, which lies on the border with Zambia. Lake Kariba is the world’s largest man-made lake by volume, created in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
As rescue efforts continue, authorities are grappling with the tragedy's aftermath and the need for accountability regarding safety regulations on the lake.
“The Civil Protection Unit confirmed 114 adult passengers via ticket sales, but an unknown number of children below ticketing age may also have been aboard. Local MP Mutsa Murombedzi demanded officials release the correct number, saying 'We have very hard questions that require honest answers.'”
bbc.com
