At least 15 people died and 27 others are missing after a ferry capsized on Lake Kariba, the world's biggest man-made lake, on Tuesday, August 11.
Zimbabwe's national disaster management agency said 77 people were rescued after the incident. They made it to a small island on the lake, and boats were being dispatched to bring back survivors.
Boat capacity and passenger count
The boat had a carrying capacity of 90 people. The Civil Protection Unit said it could only confirm through registered ticket sales that there were 114 adult passengers onboard, with five crew members.
There could have been an unknown number of children below ticketing age who were not accounted for.
Rescue efforts
State broadcaster ZBC posted video of speedboats approaching what appeared to be a capsized boat. The video also showed a helicopter hovering overhead. An underwater team for search and rescue operations has been deployed.
Lake Kariba forms part of the border between Zimbabwe and neighbouring Zambia. It is the largest man-made lake in the world by volume.
Wildlife and local travel
The lake is teeming with Nile crocodiles and hippopotamuses.
Local member of Parliament Mutsa Murombedzi said rural communities use the boat to travel to the town of Kariba. The journey usually takes about five hours. She shared a video of what she said were people on shore waving off what appeared to be the ageing ferry before the incident occurred. According to the video, some people standing on the shore were worried the ferry would not survive the lake's strong waves.
