Rescue operations continued into Wednesday following the capsizing of a government passenger ferry on Zimbabwe’s Lake Kariba, resulting in at least 44 confirmed deaths, authorities reported.
The Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) ferry, which was transporting passengers between the town of Kariba and surrounding islands and fishing villages, overturned amid rough weather on Tuesday.
According to survivors, passengers urged the ferry operator to turn back due to the choppy conditions, but their pleas were ignored. Witnesses described seeing bodies in the water as rescuers worked to reach the overturned vessel.
Details of the Incident
- The ferry had a capacity of 90 but was carrying 114 adult passengers, five crew members, and an unknown number of children at the time of the accident.
- The vessel reportedly took on water and may have been struck by a wave that caused its engines to fail.
- Rescue efforts involved local boats, a helicopter from a national park, divers, and the army.
- So far, 77 people have been rescued and 44 confirmed dead.
Official Response
President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared the incident a national disaster, highlighting critical shortcomings in maritime safety that need urgent attention to prevent future tragedies.
A specialised aquatic rescue unit was deployed to assist ongoing search efforts. Funeral parlours have been engaged to handle the bodies recovered.
Lake Kariba, the world’s largest man-made lake, serves as a vital transport link for rural communities, making this one of the deadliest maritime accidents recorded on the lake.
