Tragic Boat Capsize on Lake Kariba Claims Lives

A boat capsized on Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe, leading to 15 confirmed fatalities and 27 missing. A state of disaster has been declared.

At least 15 people have drowned, and 27 are missing following a tragic boat sinking on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe on Tuesday, according to officials.

The vessel was reportedly designed to carry 90 passengers along with five crew members; however, local authorities indicated that approximately 120 individuals, including 12 children, were on board at the time of the incident.

In response to the situation, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared a state of disaster, allowing for enhanced search and rescue operations. To date, 77 survivors have been rescued from the waters.

Lake Kariba, one of the world’s largest artificial lakes, straddles the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, serving as an essential resource for transport, fishing, and hydroelectric power generation for both nations.

Local member of parliament Mutsa Murombedzi shared a video on social media, allegedly depicting the boat prior to its departure, stating that it had been utilized by residents as a means to commute to Kariba town—a journey typically lasting around five hours.

“We have very hard questions that require honest answers. The officials must release the correct number of people who were onboard,” she emphasized in her post.

The Zimbabwe Civil Protection Unit (CPU) announced that ticket records indicated a total of 114 adult passengers on the boat, with an uncertain number of children also likely present but unaccounted for.

Officials confirmed that 77 individuals had been rescued, while 15 bodies had been recovered from the lake. Local authorities engaged several funeral parlours to handle the recovered bodies.

The local government minister, Daniel Garwe, noted that the disaster declaration was necessary for mobilizing all required resources to support ongoing rescue efforts. He mentioned that 27 individuals remain unaccounted for, with an unverified number of children believed to be amongst the missing.

An army boat squadron, a police underwater search team, and a privately owned helicopter are currently involved in the search operations.

In a statement, Garwe extended condolences to the families and friends of the victims, highlighting the tragedy of the event.