Zimbabwe Lake Kariba Ferry Disaster Claims Over 40 Lives, Spawns Urgent Safety Review

At least 44 people have died and dozens remain missing after a crowded ferry capsized on Zimbabwe’s Lake Kariba, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said on Wednesday.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa expressed deep sorrow over the tragic capsizing of the ferry on Tuesday, stating that the accident has raised serious concerns about vessel safety and operational standards.

He praised the swift response of private citizens and government security teams, noting that without their efforts many more lives could have been lost in the rough lake conditions.

At least 67 passengers have been rescued, according to Zimbabwe police, while the search for missing individuals continued through Wednesday and is set to resume on Thursday.

The exact number of passengers on board remains unclear, but police indicate the vessel was significantly over capacity.

Operated by the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency, a quasi‑governmental body responsible for infrastructure, water supplies, and road services, the ferry had an official capacity of 90 passengers. However, police reports suggest roughly 120 passengers were on board when it capsized.

Police investigations indicate the actual passenger count may have been even higher.

The ferry departed from Kariba, a popular resort town, en route to Chalala, a remote fishing camp on the shores of Lake Kariba—the world’s largest man‑made lake by volume. According to a presidential disaster declaration, the vessel capsized after being hit by strong waves near Long Island, an island located about ten miles from Kariba.

The Department of Civil Protection is leading a coordinated search and rescue effort involving the national police’s underwater unit, the Zimbabwe National Army Boat Squadron, local authorities, and additional agencies. A privately owned helicopter from the Matusadonha Conservation Trust, a national park, has been deployed to aid aerial searches, as stated in the presidential declaration.

Zimbabwe’s public broadcaster reported Wednesday evening that search and rescue operations were halted for the night but would resume on Thursday, as divers expressed concerns that survivors might still be trapped inside the capsized ferry. Plans are underway to tow the vessel to a nearby island.

President Mnangagwa stated that the tragedy reveals serious shortcomings in the country’s maritime capabilities and warned that recreational waters must not become death traps. He called on all maritime safety agencies, including specialized security units, to actively implement remedial measures following the incident.

He urged Zimbabweans to unite in prayer for the departed, the success of search operations, the swift recovery of survivors, and comfort for the bereaved families.

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