Death Toll Rises to 84 from Capsized Ferry in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwean police have recovered more bodies from a ferry that capsized on Lake Kariba, raising the confirmed death toll to at least 84. The national police service announced on Sunday that four additional bodies had been found, and search operations continue.

The overloaded passenger ferry overturned on Tuesday, reportedly carrying as many as 153 people. While the ferry's official capacity is 90, the exact number on board has not been confirmed. The accident occurred during heavy winds near the border with Zambia.

This incident is believed to be the deadliest of its kind in Zimbabwe. The ferry was traveling from the northern town of Kariba to rural fishing communities in the northwest. Water travel is a common mode of transport in northern Zimbabwe due to underdeveloped infrastructure, including limited public transport and poorly maintained roads.

Footage shared by local media on Saturday showed hundreds of people gathered outside a local hospital, waiting to identify deceased loved ones. At least 18 children were among the victims. President Emmerson Mnangagwa had previously described the event as "tragic" and highlighted the serious deficiencies that require immediate attention.

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