The death toll from the Mbuya Nehanda ferry disaster on Lake Kariba has risen from 15 to 44, with several passengers still missing as search and rescue operations continue
About 44 people have died after a ferry capsized on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe, with several passengers still unaccounted for.
The Mbuya Nehanda ferry reportedly had about 90 passengers and five crew members on board when it overturned near Long Island on Tuesday, August 11.
The death toll stood at 15 on Wednesday afternoon but rose to 44 after search and rescue teams recovered more bodies from the lake.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended his condolences to the Government and people of Zimbabwe following the loss of life.
“As South Africans, we stand in solidarity today with the nation of Zimbabwe as we mourn this extensive loss of life.
“We wish survivors a speedy recovery and we pay tribute to the emergency services who are working tirelessly to support and bring closure to affected families and communities,” he said.
The ferry is believed to have overturned after encountering strong waves, sending passengers into the water.
Survivors rescued from the lake have been taken to Mahombekombe Primary School, which has been converted into a temporary holding centre as search and rescue teams continue looking for missing passengers, including children.
A video circulating on social media appears to show the ferry heavily loaded with passengers shortly before it left the shore.
The person recording the video can reportedly be heard referring to a “bingo wave”, apparently warning about an approaching wave. However, the circumstances surrounding the warning, including whether it was heard by the crew, have not been independently confirmed.
The footage has since raised questions on social media about the ferry’s condition, passenger capacity and what led to the accident.
One user on X, @DenhereTaona, described the incident as “an accident awaiting to happen”, questioning whether the vessel was seaworthy and whether it was carrying too many passengers.
“That was an accident awaiting to happen, that boat isn’t sea worthy, water-worthy, river-worthy. By mere looking at the ramshackle outer appearance of the boat. An average person could tell this house-boat was a sailing (moving) coffin,” the user said.
The user also questioned the vessel’s owner and suggested that the incident could amount to corporate or gross negligence manslaughter. These claims have not been independently verified.
The cause of the accident, along with whether the ferry was operating within its permitted passenger capacity and complying with safety requirements, is expected to form part of the investigation.
For now, the focus remains on the search and rescue operation as emergency teams continue looking for those still missing and families wait for news of their loved ones.