Tragic Lake Kariba Ferry Disaster Death Toll Climbs to 84 as Search Continues

Zimbabwean police have recovered additional bodies following the tragic capsizing of a passenger ferry on Lake Kariba, elevating the confirmed death toll to at least 84 individuals. In a Sunday post on X, Zimbabwe’s national police service verified that four more bodies were retrieved, while ongoing search operations remain active.

This disaster is regarded as the deadliest accident of its kind in the history of Zimbabwe. The overloaded passenger ferry, which overturned on Tuesday amid heavy winds near the Zambian border, was reported to be carrying as many as 153 people. Official capacity for the vessel was rated at 90 passengers, though authorities have yet to confirm the exact count of those on board.

The ill-fated boat was journeying from the town of Kariba located in the northern region of the country toward rural and fishing communities situated in the country’s northwest. Water travel remains a frequent necessity across northern Zimbabwe due to a scarcity of proper infrastructure, which includes limited public transport options and poorly maintained roads.

Online footage shared by local media outlets on Saturday revealed hundreds of people gathered outside the local hospital in hopes of identifying deceased loved ones. Among the victims, at least 18 children lost their lives in the accident.

Addressing the catastrophe on Tuesday, President Emmerson Mnangagwa characterized the event as “tragic” and emphasized that it revealed critical deficiencies requiring immediate attention.