At least 44 people have died after an overloaded ferry sank on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe, the country’s National Disaster Management Agency said on Tuesday (August 11). The vessel was carrying significantly more passengers than its authorized capacity when the accident occurred.
According to Al Jazeera, an official from the lake authority said the ferry, which had a capacity of 90 passengers, was carrying around 120 people, including 12 children.
Zimbabwe’s National Disaster Management Agency said 77 people had been rescued and taken to an island in the lake following the accident.
The Civil Protection Unit said registered ticketing records showed that 114 adult passengers and five crew members were officially listed on the vessel. However, authorities have been unable to determine the exact number of children on board who were too young to require tickets.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police said search-and-rescue operations were continuing. Footage released by the state broadcaster ZBC showed several speedboats approaching the overturned ferry, while a helicopter flew over the accident site. An underwater search team has also been deployed to assist in locating missing passengers and victims.
The vessel, operated by Zimbabwe’s Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA), was used to transport local residents between the northern town of Kariba and several islands and fishing villages on the lake.
The latest tragedy has raised renewed concerns over passenger safety and overcrowding on inland waterways, as rescue teams continue searching the waters of Lake Kariba.
Source: Al Jazeera.