The death toll from the Lake Kariba boat disaster has climbed to 44, making it Zimbabwe’s deadliest maritime tragedy.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the sharp increase in casualties on Wednesday.
Earlier, police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi reported that rescuers had recovered 13 bodies.
However, authorities later released a revised figure after retrieving more victims from the lake.
The latest toll has now surpassed Zimbabwe’s previous worst maritime disaster.
Lake Kariba tragedy becomes Zimbabwe’s worst
The disaster has overtaken the 1996 Lake Chivero tragedy, which claimed 22 lives.
Those victims were Moleli High School pupils who died in a separate boat accident.
The Mbuya Nehanda ferry operated under the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA).
The agency succeeded the former District Development Fund (DDF).
For years, the vessel provided vital transport for communities around Lake Kariba.
Mashonaland West MP Mutsa Murombedzi highlighted the ferry’s importance to local residents.
She said communities used it to travel between Kariba-Nyaminyami and Kariba Urban.
That journey could reportedly take up to five hours by ferry.
Survivors raise safety concerns
The tragedy has now triggered renewed scrutiny over the government-operated ferry service.
Last year, the Government said cheaper fares had “brought financial relief to travellers who use the boat to access remote areas in Nyaminyami District.”
However, the latest disaster has shifted attention towards passenger safety. Questions are now emerging about the vessel’s condition and safety procedures. One survivor also described alarming moments before the ferry sank.
The survivor claimed the vessel began listing heavily towards one side. Passengers reportedly raised concerns after noticing the dangerous tilt. However, the survivor alleged that the captain ignored their warnings before the vessel went down.
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