Victoria Falls Tragedy: Body Of Missing American Tourist Recovered In Gorge

American Tourist Dies In Victoria Falls Gorge Plunge

The body of a missing American tourist has been recovered from the deep Victoria Falls gorge, ending a frantic cross-border search. The man vanished after reportedly crossing the Victoria Falls Bridge earlier this week.

His Victoria Falls lodge raised the alarm on Tuesday, 6 January 2026, when he failed to return. According to Zimbabwe Now, the guest was believed to have crossed into Zambia via the Victoria Falls Bridge.

Authorities from both nations launched an immediate search. The mission changed dramatically late on Tuesday when the man’s body was sighted, trapped between rocks in the 108-metre-deep chasm. What began as a rescue attempt became a complex recovery operation.

Perilous Recovery Operation

On Wednesday, 7 January 2026, a joint Zambian and Zimbabwean police team took action. Divers, secured by ropes, undertook a perilous descent into the powerful, rocky gorge to reach the victim.

The body was spotted lodged between rocks in the gorge late on Tuesday.

The hazardous operation lasted several hours before the body was successfully retrieved. Zambian police later confirmed it was the missing American. His name has not been released as authorities work to notify his next of kin.

Two Missing Persons Reports Filed

Complicating the initial search, two different lodges—one in each country—had reported a guest missing. Investigators worked to determine if both cases were connected to the recovered body.

Zambia’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife collaborated with Zimbabwean tour operators throughout the process. A full investigation into the circumstances that led to the fatal plunge is now underway by officials from both countries.

The tragic incident has cast a shadow over the renowned tourist destination.