UPDATE | Zimbabwe ferry disaster death toll now stands at 92

The death toll from Zimbabwe’s Lake Kariba boat disaster has risen to 92 after authorities recovered eight more bodies as search and recovery operations continue.

The Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) vessel capsized on 11 August in rough conditions on Lake Kariba while travelling from Kariba towards rural and fishing communities.

Overcrowded

The vessel reportedly had a capacity of 90 passengers, but authorities have been unable to establish exactly how many people were on board.

Earlier reports suggested that the ferry may have been carrying more than 150 people, raising concerns that it was severely overcrowded.

Seventy-seven people have been rescued, while the number of people still missing remains unclear.

Zimbabwean police have deployed substantial resources to the recovery operation, including boats and more than 40 members of the police Sub-Aqua unit.

Teams are continuing to search the lake and recover and identify victims.

The youngest victim identified so far was one-year-old Wendy Ndandarika. 

Deadliest tragedy

The disaster has now become Zimbabwe’s deadliest public transport tragedy, surpassing the 1991 Nyanga bus disaster, in which 89 people died.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared a national disaster, while authorities face growing questions over maritime safety, the vessel’s passenger capacity and the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

Search and recovery operations remain ongoing, and the death toll could rise further.

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