Zimbabwe Ferry Disaster Leaves 44 Dead on Lake Kariba
The Zimbabwe ferry disaster on Lake Kariba has left at least 44 people dead after a passenger vessel overturned in rough waters on Tuesday.
Police said the ferry sank after a strong wave hit the vessel. Rescue teams have recovered 44 bodies from the lake, while 77 people have been rescued so far.
The number of people aboard the ferry remains unclear. The vessel had a stated capacity of 90 passengers and five crew members. However, a lake official said about 120 people, including 12 children, may have been on board.
Ferry overturns in rough weather
An eyewitness told AFP that the ferry had been travelling in poor weather when a large wave may have caused its engines to stop.
Maxton Kanhema said passengers were left in distress as the vessel overturned.
“People were in distress,he said, describing bodies in the water and a difficult rescue effort.
Footage shared online appeared to show the overturned hull floating on Lake Kariba.
Zimbabwe declares state of disaster
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared a state of disaster following the Zimbabwe ferry disaster.
The move allows authorities to mobilise additional resources for the search and rescue operation.
Local government minister Daniel Garwe said the government had deployed an army boat squadron, a police sub-aqua unit and a privately owned helicopter.
He said the government would provide all necessary resources to support the rescue effort.
Authorities have also urged people to remain patient as teams continue searching the lake.
Questions over passenger numbers
The exact number of passengers remains a major concern.
The Zimbabwe Civil Protection Unit said registered ticket sales showed that 114 adults had purchased tickets for the vessel.
Officials said an unknown number of children below the ticketing age could also have been travelling on the ferry.
Local MP Mutsa Murombedzi called for authorities to provide accurate information about the number of people who were aboard.
The ferry was reportedly travelling toward Kariba town, a journey that takes about five hours across the lake.
Lake Kariba plays vital role
Lake Kariba sits along the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. It is one of the world’s largest man-made reservoirs.
The lake supports fishing and transport and plays an important role in electricity generation for both countries.The disaster has therefore raised concerns about passenger safety and transport conditions on the busy waterway.Officials continue to search for missing passengers while families wait for further information.
Garwe offered condolences to the families and loved ones of those who died, describing the sinking as a tragic incident.Rescue operations remain underway as authorities work to account for everyone who was aboard the ferry.
