Zimbabwean authorities have officially declared a state of disaster following the tragic capsizing of an overloaded ferry on Lake Kariba, with the death toll now tragically confirmed at 80. The RIDA-operated Mbuya Nehanda ferry, which had a licensed capacity of 90 passengers, was carrying an estimated 114 to 153 people when it capsized on August 11, 2026, while en route from Kariba to Chalala and surrounding fishing communities.
Police confirmed that eight more bodies were recovered on August 16, bringing the total to 80, including 18 children, 16 of whom were aged 10 or younger, with the youngest being just one year old. The declaration of a national disaster by President Emmerson Mnangagwa enables the government to mobilize additional resources for ongoing search and recovery efforts and to provide assistance to affected families and survivors.
Key Players Involved
- President Emmerson Mnangagwa: Declared the Lake Kariba ferry disaster a national emergency.
- Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP): Confirmed the rising death toll and ongoing recovery efforts.
- Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA): Operator of the ill-fated Mbuya Nehanda ferry.
Event Timeline
- August 11, 2026: The Mbuya Nehanda ferry capsizes on Lake Kariba.
- August 15, 2026: Death toll rises to 72, and a state of disaster is declared.
- August 16, 2026: Eight more bodies are recovered, bringing the confirmed death toll to 80.
