Two Drown in Lake Kariba Boat Tragedy During A Fierce Storm

Two men drowned after a small boat they were travelling in capsized during a storm on Lake Kariba. over the weekend.

The tragic incident claimed the lives of two out of three occupants aboard the vessel.

Two Drown in Lake Kariba Boat Tragedy During A Storm

Witnesses reported that the storm overwhelmed the boat, causing it to overturn. The body of one victim was recovered on Monday, while the search for the second victim continued as of yesterday.

Newsday reported that the lone survivor managed to escape the deadly ordeal, but the incident has raised concerns about safety on the lake.

Two Lake Kariba Boat — *Two Drown in Lake Kariba Boat Tragedy During A Fierce Storm[Image: Newsday]*

Local residents are urging authorities to step up awareness campaigns to prevent future accidents.

“It is essential that the water and inland department, as well as the police, conduct awareness campaigns in both urban areas and fishing camps to prevent these accidents,” said Kariba resident Clever Chura Foshtino.

Safety advocates have highlighted the importance of adhering to basic precautions.

“Avoiding travel at night and overloading vessels can help to reduce accidents. Additionally, travellers should always wear life jackets,” said Samson Coffee, spokesperson for the Kariba Urban Residents Association.

Water and Inland Lake Captain Adan Nyekete reiterated the need for vigilance on the water.

“We urge all lake users to exercise caution and follow safety guidelines to prevent accidents. We will continue to work with stakeholders to promote water traffic safety awareness and prevent further accidents,” he said.

The Deadly Waters

This year alone, over five fatalities have been recorded on Lake Kariba, with factors such as overloading and nighttime travel cited as major causes. In July, two fishermen drowned between Fothergill and Nyaodza fishing camps. The incident occurred when their boat capsized, possibly due to intoxication.

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In September, four individuals, including two Zimbabwe National Army officers, drowned when their boat capsized near Tsetse Island. The victims were identified as Sergeant Tatenda Nekati, Corporal Nxobile Ncube, Trust Phiri, and Adson Mupiringano.

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