An overloaded ferry overturned on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 15 individuals, while 27 others remain missing, according to the national disaster management agency. The agency reported that 77 individuals were rescued and transported to an island within the lake.
Zimbabwe’s Civil Protection Unit indicated that ticket sales confirmed there were 114 adult passengers onboard the ferry, with a possibility of additional unaccounted children below the ticketing age. Additionally, the statement mentioned the presence of five crew members on the boat, which has a designated capacity of 90 passengers.
Mutsa Murombedzi, a local Parliament member, shared a video showing individuals on the shore signaling to the ferry as it embarked on its journey. The ferry, known as the RIDA boat named Mbuya Nehanda, was utilized by rural communities to travel from rural Kariba to Kariba urban. Concerns were raised by onlookers about the ferry’s ability to withstand strong waves on the lake.
Zimbabwean authorities initiated a rescue operation following the incident, with police and speedboats seen approaching the overturned vessel in the footage released by the state broadcaster ZBC. Lake Kariba, situated on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, is the largest man-made lake globally in terms of volume. Formed in the late 1950s and early 1960s through dam construction on the Zambezi River, the lake stretches over 200 kilometers in length and up to 40 kilometers in width at various points.
The lake is shared by Zimbabwe and Zambia, with the official border running through its center. The tragic incident has sparked efforts to address safety concerns surrounding transportation on Lake Kariba.