Harare, (New Ziana) — Rescuers recovered more bodies from a capsised boat on Lake Kariba on Wednesday, with police putting the death toll at 44, up from 15, and officials expecting more grim news from what is turning out to be one of the country’s deadliest accidents.
The exact number of passengers on the boat, the Mbuya Nehanda, is unknown but speculated to be between 114 and 150 people, with scores still missing.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared the accident a state of disaster to allow for speedy mobilisation of resources for the rescue effort, and assistance to victims, and their families.
Sub-Aqua units from the army and police joined the Civil Protection Unit, Matusadonha rescue teams, boat operators, an African Parks helicopter and local residents in the search on Wednesday, as rescuers raced against the clock to find survivors.
The Mbuya Nehanda ferry, operated by the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency(RIDA), capsised Tuesday afternoon while travelling from Kariba town towards Chalala Fishing Camp. Authorities said the ferry was designed to carry 90 people but ticket records showed 114 adult passengers and five crew members aboard. An unknown number of children who may not have required tickets could also have been on board.
The disaster has exposed serious questions about passenger safety, vessel capacity and weather preparedness on Lake Kariba, a vital transport route for fishing communities and a major tourism destination.
Mashonaland West provincial Director of Local Government Services, Cecilia Chitiyo said survivors had been taken to Long Island, where Civil Protection Unit boats were transporting them to the mainland.
“The CPU has mobilised boats to bring them on land and this is currently happening,” Chitiyo said.
RIDA Director-General, Christopher Shumba confirmed the death of the ferry’s captain and said some children could still be missing.
“This is a tragedy of major proportion and we have lost several people so far while others are still to be accounted for,” Shumba said.
Authorities said strong winds and choppy water may have contributed to the accident. A weather bulletin had forecast generally light winds but warned of stronger afternoon airflow and localised choppy conditions over exposed parts of the lake. Investigators have not yet established the definitive cause of the capsizing.
Lake Kariba, which stretches about 282 kilometres and reaches 32 kilometres at its widest point, is the world’s largest man-made lake by volume, according to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority. Its vast open waters can become hazardous when winds generate large waves.
The latest disaster also revives concerns about water safety in Kariba. Five people died in a 2021 boat accident, while four died after a boat capsised in September 2023.
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