Kariba ferry disaster death toll rises to 72
Authorities say search and recovery operations will resume Sunday morning.
The death toll from the Lake Kariba ferry disaster in Zimbabwe has reached 72, as of the latest recovery efforts. On Saturday, 22 additional bodies were found in the water, following the tragic sinking of the ferry. Authorities have announced that search and recovery operations will recommence on Sunday morning. The true number of individuals on board remains unclear, with some reports indicating a passenger count of 153, despite the vessel's stated capacity of 90.
Zimbabwe has declared a State of Disaster, facilitating government resources for the search, recovery, and humanitarian response. State media reported that the first bodies were discovered by fishermen early Saturday, while the remainder were located by dedicated search and recovery teams navigating the lake. No bodies have been found within the wreckage itself, which had been previously towed to a nearby island.
Authorities are confident that no additional victims remain unaccounted for among the debris. The precise passenger count continues to be a subject of uncertainty, with estimates suggesting a possible total of 153 people on board, exceeding the vessel's official capacity.
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