Ferry Capsize on Lake Kariba Leaves More Than 40 Dead

At least 44 people are dead and an unknown number remain missing after a crowded ferry overturned on Zimbabwe’s Lake Kariba. The accident occurred on Tuesday and was confirmed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday.

The vessel was hit by strong waves while carrying passengers well beyond its designated capacity. Police said the ferry had an official limit of 90 passengers excluding crew, yet initial indications suggested about 120 people were on board when it capsized.

Dozens of people have been rescued. Zimbabwe police put the number at least at 67. The search for more missing passengers continued through Wednesday and was set to resume on Thursday.

The ferry was operated by the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency, a quasi-governmental department responsible for the development and maintenance of infrastructure, water supplies, roads and related services.

President Mnangagwa expressed profound sadness at the tragedy. He thanked private citizens and government security teams for their swift response, noting that many more lives could have been lost in the rough and choppy conditions on the lake that day.

Questions have been raised about the ferry’s safety and operations. Authorities have not yet provided a final passenger count, leaving the full scale of the loss unclear.

Lake Kariba is a major water body shared by Zimbabwe and Zambia. Ferry services form part of local transport and connectivity across the lake. The overcrowding and weather conditions combined to produce the fatal outcome.

Rescue operations involved both official teams and members of the public. The ongoing search reflects the uncertainty over how many people remain unaccounted for.

No detailed technical findings on the vessel’s condition or the precise sequence of events have been released. The focus remains on recovery efforts and establishing the number of victims.

The involvement of the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency places the incident within the broader context of public transport infrastructure management. Oversight of passenger capacity and vessel safety falls under the operational responsibilities of the agency.

Further updates are expected as the search continues and investigations begin. The confirmed death toll of at least 44 already marks a significant loss of life on the lake.

Local and national authorities continue to coordinate the response. Families of those on board await clearer information on the missing.