Zimbabwe boat capsizing death toll reaches 94

The death toll from a boat capsizing on Zimbabwe's Lake Kariba has climbed to 94, police reported Tuesday. Search teams continue to look for missing persons and recover bodies, with 83 victims identified and at least eleven still unidentified. Among the confirmed dead are 39 minors.

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the deployment of ZRP search teams will continue as efforts to locate the missing persons or recover the bodies proceed

The incident occurred on August 11 when a vessel belonging to the Rural Development Agency (RIDA) capsized while traveling between Chalala and Kariba. Initial reports suggested the boat carried 120 people, but police investigations indicate the number could be higher, despite its authorized capacity being 90 passengers. While 67 people were initially reported rescued, the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) stated 77 survivors swam to a nearby islet or were evacuated by lifeboats.

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The police continue to collaborate closely with the relevant authorities and families to identify the remaining victims

In response to the tragedy, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared a national disaster. This declaration allows for the deployment of army resources, rescue divers, and aircraft. The president acknowledged that the incident exposed significant flaws in the country's maritime inspection and safety systems. Lake Kariba, the world's largest artificial reservoir by volume, serves as a crucial transportation route in the region.

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Citizens who have relatives or loved ones still missing after the accident are urged to contact the local police station or the command center in Kariba