At least 15 people have died and 27 remain missing after a ferry capsized on Lake Kariba, the world's largest man-made lake. Zimbabwe's national disaster management agency confirmed that 77 people were rescued following the incident on Tuesday, August 11.
Rescue and Survivors
Survivors managed to reach a small island on the lake, with boats dispatched to bring them back to safety. The vessel had a maximum carrying capacity of 90 people. However, the Civil Protection Unit stated it could only verify through registered ticket sales that 114 adult passengers were on board, along with five crew members. An unknown number of children below ticketing age may also have been on board and were not accounted for.
Search and Response
Broadcaster ZBC released footage of speedboats approaching what appeared to be the capsized vessel, with a helicopter visible hovering above. An underwater search and rescue team has been deployed.
Background and Local Impact
Lake Kariba straddles the border between Zimbabwe and neighbouring Zambia and is the largest man-made lake in the world by volume. The lake is home to large numbers of Nile crocodiles and hippopotamuses. Local MP Mutsa Murombedzi revealed that rural communities rely on the boat to travel to the town of Kariba, a journey that typically takes around five hours. She shared footage purportedly showing people on the shore waving off what appeared to be the ageing ferry prior to the incident. According to the video, some onlookers had expressed concern that the ferry would struggle to cope with the lake's powerful waves.
