Death toll rises to 68 in Zimbabwe boat shipwreck on Lake Kariba

The number of fatalities resulting from a tragic boat accident on Zimbabwe's Lake Kariba has climbed to 68, following the recovery of 22 additional bodies on Saturday. The capsized vessel, belonging to the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA), was traveling between Chalala and Kariba when the disaster struck on Tuesday afternoon.

Zimbabwean police confirmed the grim update, stating that the recovered bodies included 26 adults, 20 women and 6 men, and 18 children. Among the young victims were toddlers aged between one and five years old. Authorities had previously released the identities of 44 victims on Friday, while the process of identifying the remaining recovered bodies continues.

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the number of dead in the RIDA (Rural Infrastructure Development Agency) boat accident in Kariba now stands at 68, after the recovery of 22 bodies this Saturday.

Initial reports suggested the boat was carrying 120 people, but police investigations indicate the number could be higher. The vessel's authorized capacity was 90 passengers. While the exact number of survivors is debated, with police reporting 67 rescued and the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) stating 77 reached a nearby islet, the scale of the tragedy is undeniable.

In response to the disaster, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared a national state of disaster. This declaration allows for the deployment of national resources, including army personnel and rescue divers. The President publicly acknowledged that the incident exposed significant shortcomings in the country's maritime inspection and safety protocols. Lake Kariba, the world's largest artificial reservoir by volume, serves as a vital transport route in the region, making maritime safety a critical concern.

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the incident exposed serious deficiencies in the country's maritime inspection and safety systems.