An overloaded ferry overturned on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe, resulting in the tragic 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 within the lake.
Zimbabwe’s Civil Protection Unit stated that ticket sales indicated there were 114 adult passengers onboard the ferry, but the existence of children below the ticketing age who were not included in the count remains uncertain. Additionally, the ferry had five crew members on board, exceeding its recommended capacity of 90 individuals.
Mutsa Murombedzi, a local Member of Parliament, shared a video showing individuals on the shore signaling towards the ferry as it embarked on its ill-fated journey. The ferry was a crucial mode of transportation for rural communities traveling from Kariba to the town of Kariba along the lake. Concerns were raised in the video about the ferry’s ability to withstand rough waves on the lake.
Earlier, Zimbabwean authorities initiated a rescue operation following the incident, with police and speedboats deployed to the scene where the overturned ferry was spotted. The state broadcaster, ZBC, released footage showing the rescue efforts, including helicopters overseeing the operation.
Lake Kariba, situated on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, is the largest man-made lake globally in terms of volume. Constructed in the late 1950s and early 1960s by damming the Zambezi River, the lake spans over 200 kilometers in length and up to 40 kilometers in width at certain points. The lake is jointly shared by Zimbabwe and Zambia, with the official border passing through its center.
