The death toll from a ferry disaster on Zimbabwe’s Lake Kariba has risen to 95, making it the country’s deadliest transport disaster, according to local media reports. The ferry, which had a capacity of 90 passengers, is believed to have been carrying at least 168 people when it was struck by a powerful wave and overturned a week ago.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared a state of disaster following the accident, while divers continue to search the vast lake for victims. Lake Kariba, which straddles the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, is one of the world’s largest man-made reservoirs. It is a vital transport and fishing route for communities in the region and supplies hydroelectric power to both countries.
The death toll rose from 44 immediately after the accident to 84 over the weekend, according to police. Divers have since recovered more bodies, with some victims found far from the site of the sinking after drifting towards Zambia. Provincial Affairs Minister Marian Chombo said 67 people had been rescued from the wreck.
She said identifying some of the recovered bodies had proved difficult, with relatives forced to rely on clothing and other personal belongings to establish their identities. Police said 83 victims had so far been identified, including 39 children. The ferry was an important and affordable transport link for rural communities and was carrying parents taking their children home for the school holidays, as well as traders.