At least 44 people have lost their lives after a ferry sank on Lake Kariba, which sits on Zimbabwe's border with Zambia. The ferry, with a capacity to carry 90 passengers and five crew members, was overcrowded, with a reported 120 people on board, including 12 children. According to police, the vessel was hit by a strong wave and overturned, leading to the tragic incident. Footage shared online shows the overturned hull floating in the water, a stark reminder of the disaster that unfolded.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared a state of disaster, as search and rescue operations intensify. So far, 77 people have been rescued, but the death toll continues to rise. Lake Kariba, one of the world's largest man-made reservoirs, supports transport and fishing, and provides vital hydroelectric power to both Zimbabwe and Zambia. The incident has raised questions about the safety of transport on the lake, with local member of parliament Mutsa Murombedzi calling for honest answers from officials regarding the number of people on board.
An eyewitness, Maxton Kanhema, described the scene as people were in distress, with bodies in the water. He said those who could be rescued were rescued, but the situation was sad to witness. The Zimbabwe Civil Protection Unit reported that registered ticket sales showed 114 adult passengers were on the vessel, but an unknown number of children below ticketing age could also have been on board. Local government minister Daniel Garwe stated that the president's declaration of a state of disaster would ensure all necessary resources are mobilized for search and rescue operations, including an army boat squadron, a police sub-aqua unit, and a privately owned helicopter.
The government has extended its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who have lost their lives in this tragic incident. As the search and rescue operations continue, the people of Zimbabwe and Zambia are left to mourn the loss of life and wonder how such a tragedy could have occurred on a lake that is so vital to the region's economy and livelihood. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety measures and regulations to prevent such disasters in the future.
