At least 15 people have been killed and 27 remain missing following a catastrophic capsizing of a ferry on Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe’s largest man-made lake, according to the country’s Civil Protection Unit. The incident occurred on Tuesday after the boat overturned, according to a statement released by the agency. The ferry, carrying more than 90 people, was reportedly transporting tourists and local residents between the northern town of Kariba and several islands and fishing camps, with an estimated capacity of 114 adults and five crew members. The agency confirmed through registered ticket sales that there were 114 adult passengers on board, along with five crew members, indicating a significant number of individuals potentially not accounted for. The exact number of children below ticketing age who were on board remains unconfirmed, adding to the complexity of the situation. Zimbabwe’s national police service has stated that rescue efforts are underway. The state broadcaster ZBC published video footage of speedboats navigating towards what appeared to be the overturned vessel, with a helicopter hovering overhead. An underwater team for search and rescue operations was deployed on the immense lake, utilizing a huge helicopter to aid in the effort. Witness Maxton Kanhema, who provided an eyewitness account to the AFP news agency, stated that the vessel departed in challenging weather conditions, potentially due to a wave that struck the boat. “When we were in the waters, you could see a distress sign and then boats that were close by responded,” she said. “The Matusadona National Park provided a helicopter to assist in the rescue effort alongside larger boats and divers from the local area and the army.” He added that the response was delayed, resulting in a significant loss of life. Lake Kariba lies on Zimbabwe’s border with Zambia, approximately 300 kilometers (186 miles) northeast of the capital, Harare. It is the world’s largest man-made lake by volume, created in the late 1950s and early 1960s by a dam wall to block the Zambezi River, resulting in a valley that slowly filled with water to form the immense lake currently exceeding 200 kilometers (124 miles) long and up to 40 kilometers (25 miles) wide in certain areas. The incident has raised concerns about maritime safety in the region, and the investigation into the cause of the capsizing is ongoing.
This tragedy underscores the vulnerability of transportation routes in Zimbabwe, particularly in areas with limited infrastructure. The impact on the local economy and tourism sector is expected to be substantial, with many businesses and travelers expressing concern over the potential for further disruptions.
[Source: ZBC – [https://www.zbc.com/news/latest-news/2023/11/13/ferry-capsizes-trigger-rescue-operations-in- Zimbabwe](https://www.zbc.com/news/latest-news/2023/11/13/ferry-capsizes-trigger-rescue-operations-in- Zimbabwe)]
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Source: Al Jazeera Africa
