At least 15 dead and dozens missing after overcrowded ferry capsizes on Lake Kariba

At least 15 people were killed and 27 remained missing after an overcrowded ferry capsized on Zimbabwe’s Lake Kariba, authorities said, as rescuers pulled dozens from the water and the search continued.

What happened

The ferry overturned on Tuesday after hitting strong waves, a statement from Zimbabwe’s civil protection unit said. Seventy-seven passengers were rescued, while the boat had been carrying 114 adult passengers, five crew members and some children despite a capacity of 90 people, the unit said.

Rescue response and eyewitness account

Police said the ferry “with 90 people and five crew members has capsized in Lake Kariba” and that further details would be released “in due course.”

One witness, Maxton Kanhema, told AFP the boat left in the morning in bad weather and that a wave may have hit the vessel, causing its engines to switch off.

“When we were in the waters, then you could see a distress sign and then boats that were close by responded,” Kanhema said.

Kanhema said Matusado National Park provided a helicopter to help in the rescue effort alongside bigger boats, local divers and the army. He described seeing bodies in the water and said bad weather had delayed some responses.

“People were in distress… there were bodies in the water and it was a sad situation to witness. Those that could be rescued were rescued,” he said.

Ongoing search and next steps

The civil protection unit and police said the search for the missing continued. Kanhema said bodies of those who died were expected to be taken to Kariba for identification. Police said more details would be released “in due course.”

Location

Lake Kariba lies on Zimbabwe’s border with Zambia and is more than 300 kilometres northeast of the capital Harare.