At least 15 people have died and 27 remain missing after an overloaded ferry capsized on Lake Kariba in north-western Zimbabwe, turning a routine journey into one of the country’s deadliest recent maritime accidents.
The ferry, named Mbuya Nehanda, overturned on Tuesday as it travelled on the vast reservoir. Authorities said 77 people had been rescued and taken to safety, while search teams continued looking for those who remained unaccounted for.
The incident has raised immediate questions about the number of people aboard the vessel. Initial reports put the number at 95 passengers and crew. Later accounts suggested the ferry may have been carrying substantially more people than that figure, adding to concerns about possible overcrowding.
Lake Kariba, one of Africa’s largest reservoirs, is an important transport route for communities living around its shores and islands. The ferry was operating in an area where boats are used to connect settlements, islands and fishing camps.
Reports said the vessel encountered difficult conditions before capsizing. However, authorities had not yet established a final cause of the accident, and an investigation was expected to examine the ferry’s condition, passenger numbers and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The rescue operation continued as emergency teams searched the lake for survivors and recovered bodies. Boats and other specialist teams were involved in the effort, with authorities working to account for everyone believed to have been aboard.
For families waiting on the shoreline, the uncertainty has added to the shock. The number of people missing means the death toll could still rise as the search continues.
Zimbabwean authorities are expected to establish the full passenger list and determine how many people were actually on the ferry. The findings could also shed light on whether overcrowding or other safety failures contributed to the disaster.
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