At least 72 dead, including 18 children, in Zimbabwe ferry disaster

The overloaded passenger ferry, operated by the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA), capsized on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe, resulting in the deaths of at least 72 people, including 18 children. Rescuers recovered additional bodies on Saturday, confirming the grim toll. The incident occurred earlier in the week when the ferry was caught in strong waves.

The aging vessel was en route to remote rural and fishing communities in the country's northwest. These areas often suffer from damaged roads and limited public transportation options, making the ferry a critical, albeit risky, mode of travel. Authorities have not yet confirmed the total number of people on board or how many remain unaccounted for.

Estimates suggest the ferry may have been carrying as many as 153 passengers, significantly exceeding its stated capacity of 90. Zimbabwe's disaster management agency reported that 77 people were rescued. Initially, the number of children on board was unclear as those below ticketing age were not always included in passenger manifests. However, a subsequent police list revealed that 16 of the child victims were 10 years old or younger, with the youngest being just one year old. Lake Kariba, one of the world's largest man-made lakes by volume, stretches across the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia.