Zimbabwe: a shipwreck on Lake Kariba leaves over 40 dead

The boat was operating a route between the Zimbabwean towns of Kariba and Chalala, with several stops at islands and fishing villages. It belonged to the Zimbabwean government agency responsible for rural development.

According to the authorities, 114 tickets had been sold for this crossing and five crew members were on board. The vessel was approved to carry 90 people. The actual number of passengers may have exceeded the recorded sales, particularly because some children were traveling without tickets.

The boat departed from the shore as weather conditions deteriorated. Witnesses cited by the authorities indicated that several passengers had asked the captain to turn back after strong waves appeared.

The water then flooded the deck before submerging the engine, causing it to stop. In the panic, the boat capsized. Some passengers managed to survive by climbing onto the overturned hull.

Searches Continue on the Lake

A helicopter was deployed from a nearby park to assist in the rescue operations. Local divers and military personnel also continued to search the lake on Wednesday for survivors and missing persons.

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared a national disaster on Wednesday following the accident. Authorities are yet to determine the final toll of the sinking and clarify the specific circumstances that led to the boat’s departure despite the weather conditions and high number of passengers.

The disaster raises questions about the safety conditions of vessels serving Lake Kariba, one of the main bodies of water in Zimbabwe and a transport route for several surrounding communities.