Lake Kariba Ferry Disaster Death Toll Rises to 84 as Search Operations Continue

The death toll from the Lake Kariba ferry disaster has climbed to 84 as rescue teams continue searching for more victims.

The Zimbabwe National Army Boat Squadron and Zimbabwe Republic Police Sub-aqua Unit remain deployed at the accident site.

The ferry capsized near Long Island while travelling from Kariba town to Chalala Fishing Camp.

So far, 67 survivors have been rescued from the vessel.

The latest recovery of bodies yesterday raised the confirmed death toll from 72 to 84.

Mhona Inspects Accident Scene

Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Advocate Felix Mhona visited the scene yesterday.

He was accompanied by Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Marian Chombo and other senior officials.

The delegation also met Lake Kariba boat and ferry operators to assess the response.

The meeting focused on strengthening search efforts and identifying measures to prevent another tragedy.

Mhona said Government has a legal responsibility to investigate the disaster under the Inland Waters Shipping Act.

“We are saddened as a nation, we are mourning our beloved ones who perished on this lake,” he said.

He said the Government must establish what happened and determine the measures required to improve safety.

Mhona also thanked President Emmerson Mnangagwa for declaring the incident a national disaster.

The declaration brought the disaster under the Civil Protection Unit, allowing Government to coordinate a wider emergency response.

Initial investigations have ruled out structural failure as the main cause of the accident.

Inland Waters Control director Lameck Chitenga said the vessel’s hull was still intact when the incident occurred.

Attention has instead shifted towards operational and environmental factors surrounding the voyage.

The ferry, owned by the Rural Infrastructure Development Authority (RIDA), encountered strong winds known locally as the “Binga Wave”.

Footage recorded shortly after the vessel left Kariba showed passengers facing increasingly rough waters.

Water could also be seen rising around the passengers as the situation deteriorated.

Weather information available at the time had generally forecast calm conditions and light winds.

However, the bulletin warned mariners about possible localised choppy conditions during the afternoon.

It also forecast strengthening winds over exposed areas of the lake.

Investigators are now expected to examine whether the weather warnings were adequately considered before the vessel departed.

Chombo praised the various teams involved in the rescue and recovery mission.

She acknowledged the work of Government departments, soldiers, police divers, freelance divers and local boat operators.

The Kariba community has also played a major role in supporting the ongoing operation.

Boat operators Cephas Shonhiwa and Nesbit Mapfumo have pledged to help Government mobilise resources.

Their support is expected to help keep search and recovery efforts running without interruption.