Lake Kariba Ferry Disaster: Death Toll Rises to 44 in Zimbabwe

At least 44 people have died after an overcrowded ferry capsized on Zimbabwe’s Lake Kariba, in one of the country’s deadliest recent water disasters.

The vessel overturned on Tuesday after encountering strong waves while travelling from the lakeside town of Kariba towards islands and fishing camps, according to Zimbabwean authorities and reports from survivors.

The tragedy was initially reported as having killed 15 people, with 27 others missing. However, Zimbabwean police subsequently increased the death toll first to 38 and then to 44, as more bodies were recovered from the lake.

Officials said the ferry had a stated capacity of 90 people, but ticket records showed that at least 114 adult passengers and five crew members were aboard.

A crew member told Zimbabwe’s national broadcaster that the actual number of people on board may have been as high as 153, with children potentially not included in official ticket records.

The Civil Protection Unit said 77 people were rescued during the initial operation and taken to safety, while specialist underwater teams were deployed to assist with the search for victims.

The exact number of passengers remains uncertain because some children may have travelled without tickets.

Reports indicate that the ferry began experiencing difficulties roughly 30 minutes into its journey, with strong waves contributing to the vessel overturning.

Survivors described a chaotic scene as passengers struggled to remain above water. Video footage released by Zimbabwe’s state broadcaster showed people apparently clinging to the overturned vessel while speedboats and a helicopter moved towards the scene.

Questions are now being raised over the condition of the ageing ferry and whether the vessel was adequately prepared to operate in rough weather.

Local communities had reportedly expressed concerns about the ferry before it departed, including fears about whether it could withstand strong waves on the lake.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared a state of disaster following the tragedy, allowing authorities to intensify emergency and rescue efforts.

The incident has also renewed concerns about safety standards on Lake Kariba, where boats provide an important transport link for communities living around the vast reservoir.

Lake Kariba stretches along the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia and is the world’s largest artificial lake by volume. It was created after the Zambezi River was dammed in the 1950s and remains an important source of electricity, fishing and transportation for both countries.

The latest disaster has revived memories of previous fatal boat accidents on the lake, including a 2014 incident in which 26 people, most of them children, died on the Zambian side.

Search and recovery operations are continuing as authorities work to establish the final number of passengers and victims.