The death toll from the passenger ferry capsizing on Zimbabwe’s Lake Kariba has tragically risen to 68, following the recovery of additional bodies on Saturday. The overloaded vessel, operated by the government’s Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA), overturned on Tuesday in choppy waters.
Police confirmed the updated figure, stating that 22 more bodies were retrieved on Saturday, bringing the total number of fatalities to 68, including 18 children. Officials indicated that the ferry, authorized to carry 90 people, was carrying 114 adults, five crew members, and an unspecified number of children when the incident occurred.
Reports from survivors suggest that passengers had pleaded with the ferry driver to turn back as the vessel began taking on water shortly after departure. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with at least 77 people having been rescued. The incident has sent shockwaves through the region, as such accidents on Lake Kariba, which straddles the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, are reportedly rare.
Key Players Involved
- Zimbabwe Republic Police: Confirmed the updated death toll and ongoing investigations.
- Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA): Operated the overloaded passenger ferry.
- Victims and Survivors: Mostly villagers and fish traders around Lake Kariba.
Event Timeline
- Tuesday, August 11, 2026: The RIDA passenger ferry capsized on Lake Kariba.
- Saturday, August 15, 2026: 22 more bodies were recovered, raising the death toll to 68.
- Sunday, August 16, 2026: News of the updated death toll continues to be reported.
