According to Al Jazeera's report on August 16th, a shipwreck occurred near Lake Kariba in northern Zimbabwe. As the Zimbabwean police retrieved more bodies from the accident, the number of deaths has risen to 84.
Kariba Lake is located on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. At the time of the incident, the accident ship departed from Kariba Town in northern Zimbabwe and was heading towards a village in northwestern Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwean police said that the ferry was designed to carry 90 passengers, but it carried at least 153 people at that time. The ship overturned due to strong winds near the border with Zambia.
Zimbabwe rescue workers search near the overturned ship. Photo from IC.
After the accident, 77 people have been rescued. Zimbabwean police announced on the 16th that as more bodies were recovered, the number of casualties has risen to 84. Search efforts are still underway. The police stated that among the deceased are 18 children, with the youngest being only 1 year old. Sixteen of the victims are under the age of 10.
Al Jazeera pointed out that this is the most serious shipwreck accident in Zimbabwe's history. Zimbabwean President Mnangazwa declared this incident a "national disaster". He stated that this incident exposed some serious flaws in the country that need urgent resolution.
