44 die as ferry capsizes in Zimbabwe

A tragic accident on Zimbabwe's Lake Kariba has claimed the lives of at least 44 people after an overcrowded ferry capsized in rough weather. Police confirmed the updated death toll on Wednesday, a day after the disaster.

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The ZRP informs the public that the death toll in the Kariba RIDA boat accident is now 44.

The government ferry, operated by the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency, was carrying 114 adult passengers, five crew members, and an unspecified number of children when it went down on Tuesday. The vessel, which ferries people between the northern town of Kariba and several islands and fishing villages, had a capacity for only 90 people, according to the Civil Protection Unit.

Eyewitnesses described a harrowing scene, with bodies visible in the water as rescuers scrambled to reach the sinking vessel. A witness told AFP that the boat departed in bad weather and may have been struck by a large wave, causing its engines to fail. A national park provided a helicopter, while larger boats, divers, and army personnel assisted in the rescue operation. A specialized aquatic rescue unit was also airlifted to the scene.

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When we were in the waters, then you could see a distress sign and then boats that were close by responded.

Initially, 77 people were reported rescued, and 15 bodies were recovered. However, the Zimbabwe Republic Police later updated the toll to 44 fatalities. The Civil Protection Unit stated that two funeral parlors were engaged to collect the bodies as the search continued for any unaccounted individuals. This incident marks one of the worst recorded passenger boat disasters on Lake Kariba, a vast man-made lake on the border with Zambia.

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People were in distress… There were bodies in the water, and it was a sad situation to witness. Those that could be rescued were rescued.