Home / Disasters and Accidents / Zimbabwe Ferry Overloaded, Claims 94 Lives
Zimbabwe Ferry Overloaded, Claims 94 Lives
18 Aug
Summary
- A government ferry carrying 180 passengers capsized on Lake Kariba.
- The ferry was overloaded, carrying twice its stated capacity.
- The death toll has risen to 94, making it the worst disaster in history.
A tragic incident on Zimbabwe's Lake Kariba has claimed 94 lives, with authorities confirming the government-owned ferry was carrying approximately 180 passengers. This figure is double the police-reported capacity of 90, highlighting severe overcrowding as a major factor in the capsizing. The ferry was en route from Kariba town to a remote community when strong waves caused it to capsize.
This event is now considered Zimbabwe's deadliest transport disaster, exceeding the 89 fatalities from a 1991 bus crash. As of Tuesday, 77 individuals have been rescued. Search and recovery efforts continue on Lake Kariba, a vast man-made reservoir situated on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. The government released a statement following a cabinet meeting confirming the grim details.
