Ferry capsizes on Zimbabwe's Lake Kariba, killing 15 and leaving 27 missing

At least 15 people died and 27 are missing after an overloaded ferry capsized on Zimbabwe's Lake Kariba on Tuesday. The national disaster management agency reported that 77 survivors were rescued and reached a small island on the lake. Boats are now being sent to bring them back.

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it could only confirm through registered ticket sales that there were 114 adult passengers onboard, along with five crew members. There could have been an unknown number of children below ticketing age who were onboard and not accounted for

Zimbabwean state broadcaster ZBC showed video of speedboats approaching an overturned boat on the lake, with a helicopter overhead. An underwater search and rescue team was deployed on the vast lake, which straddles the border between Zimbabwe and neighboring Zambia.

The Civil Protection Unit stated that official ticket sales accounted for 114 adult passengers and five crew members. However, the agency noted that an unknown number of children below ticketing age might have been on board, contributing to the overload. The ferry's capacity is 90 people. The agency recommended the incident be officially declared a disaster.

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rural communities use the boat to travel along the lake to the town of Kariba, a journey that usually takes about five hours.

Mutsa Murombedzi, a local member of Parliament, shared a video showing the aging ferry departing, with people on shore expressing concern about strong waves on the lake. Rural communities frequently use this boat for travel to Kariba town, a journey that typically takes about five hours.

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Some people standing on the shore were also concerned if the ferry would survive strong waves on the lake