An overloaded ferry tragically capsized on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe, resulting in the loss of at least 15 lives while 27 individuals remain unaccounted for, according to the national disaster management agency. The agency reported that 77 people were successfully rescued and transported to an island on the lake.
Zimbabwe’s Civil Protection Unit indicated that ticket sales records confirmed the presence of 114 adult passengers onboard the ferry, but noted the potential existence of unrecorded children below the ticketing age. Additionally, the statement mentioned the presence of five crew members on the vessel, which has a maximum capacity of 90 individuals.
Mutsa Murombedzi, a local Member of Parliament, shared a video showing individuals on the shore waving at the ferry as it embarked on its journey. The ferry, known as the RIDA boat named Mbuya Nehanda, was a crucial mode of transport for rural communities traveling from Kariba to the urban center. Concerns were raised about the ferry’s ability to withstand the lake’s rough waves, as depicted in the video.
Zimbabwean authorities initiated a rescue operation following the incident, with the police and speedboats deployed to the scene. Footage released by the state broadcaster, ZBC, captured speedboats approaching an overturned vessel on the lake while a helicopter provided aerial support.
Lake Kariba, situated on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia in southern Africa, stands as the largest man-made lake globally in terms of volume. Originating from the construction of a dam wall to obstruct the Zambezi River in the late 1950s and early 1960s, the lake spans over 200 kilometers in length and reaches widths of up to 40 kilometers in certain areas. The lake is jointly shared by Zimbabwe and Zambia, with the official border running through its center.