44 Dead As Overloaded Ferry Capsizes In Zimbabwe

At least 44 people have died after an overloaded passenger ferry capsized on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe, police said, as rescue teams continued efforts to recover victims and locate survivors.

The ferry capsized on Tuesday while travelling from the lakeside town of Kariba towards islands and fishing camps on the lake.

The vessel had a stated capacity of 90 passengers but was carrying at least 114 adults and five crew members, according to officials.

The total number of people on board remains uncertain because some children may not have been included in the passenger records.

Police initially reported that 15 people had died, with 27 others missing. The death toll was later revised sharply upward to 44 as rescue teams recovered more bodies from the scene.

Authorities said 77 people had been rescued, although the final number of passengers aboard the vessel has yet to be established. Officials have also not yet provided a definitive figure for those still missing or confirmed the number of injured.

A crew member reportedly said the ferry encountered large waves before overturning about 30 minutes after leaving Kariba. Rescue efforts have involved boats, helicopters and underwater teams searching the area around the overturned vessel.

The accident has raised concerns over the ferry’s capacity and condition. Residents had reportedly expressed concerns about the vessel’s ability to navigate the lake safely, particularly during rough weather.

Lake Kariba, which lies along the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, is one of the world’s largest artificial lakes by volume and is an important transport route for communities living around the lake.

Authorities are continuing the recovery operation, while investigations are expected to establish what caused the ferry to capsize and determine whether overcrowding or other safety violations contributed to the disaster.