Zimbabwe Ferry Disaster Death Toll Rises to 84 as Search Continues

POLICY WIRE — Harare, Zimbabwe — The death toll from the ferry disaster on Lake Kariba has risen to 84 after authorities recovered 12 additional bodies. The overloaded ferry capsized last week, sparking an ongoing search effort by Zimbabwean authorities.

The vessel, which was carrying more passengers than its capacity allowed, overturned on the lake, one of the largest man-made reservoirs in the world. Rescue teams have been working tirelessly to locate and recover victims.

“We continue to search the waters and surrounding areas for any more victims or survivors,” said a spokesperson for the Zimbabwean Maritime Authority. “Our priority is to ensure that all those affected by this tragedy are accounted for.”

The incident has drawn attention to the safety standards and regulatory oversight of ferry operations in the region. Overloading is a common issue, often driven by the high demand for transportation across the lake, which serves as a critical link between Zimbabwe and Zambia.

This disaster is one of several recent incidents highlighting the challenges faced by Zimbabwe’s infrastructure. In a separate incident, the Wali Tangi Dam came under attack, underscoring the vulnerability of critical infrastructure in the region.

For more on the ongoing challenges and resilience of communities in Zimbabwe and beyond, read The Resilience the World Too Often Overlooks.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)