At least 15 people have died and 27 remain missing after an overloaded passenger ferry capsized on Lake Kariba in northern Zimbabwe, authorities said. Rescue teams have so far saved 77 survivors as search operations continue.
According to an Al Jazeera report published on Wednesday, the ferry overturned on Tuesday after being struck by powerful waves while carrying more than 900 passengers, prompting a large-scale rescue operation involving the Zimbabwe Republic Police, local authorities and emergency response teams.
The vessel, which operates between the northern town of Kariba and nearby islands and fishing camps, was licensed to carry 90 passengers. However, officials said it was significantly overcrowded at the time of the accident.
Records from the operating agency showed that 114 adult passengers and five crew members were registered on board. The exact number of children travelling without tickets has yet to be confirmed, raising concerns that the total number of passengers may have been higher.
Zimbabwean police said search-and-rescue efforts remain underway to locate the missing. Rescue boats, divers and emergency personnel have been deployed to the scene in an effort to recover survivors and victims.
Footage broadcast by the state-owned Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) showed speedboats heading toward the overturned ferry while a helicopter coordinated rescue efforts from the air.
Eyewitness Maxton Kanhema told AFP that the ferry departed despite adverse weather conditions. He said the vessel’s engine reportedly failed after it was hit by strong waves, after which helicopters from Matusadona National Park, larger rescue boats and local divers joined the emergency response.
Located more than 300 kilometres northeast of Harare on the Zimbabwe–Zambia border, Lake Kariba is one of the world’s largest man-made lakes. Witnesses said severe weather delayed the start of rescue operations, a factor they believe contributed to the rising death toll.
Source: Al Jazeera.