Ferry was carrying double its capacity: Zimbabwe government
The boat was travelling from the town of Kariba in northern Zimbabwe to a remote rural community
A government-owned ferry, which capsized on Zimbabwe’s Lake Kariba last week, was carrying approximately 180 passengers, double the capacity claimed by police, the government announced on Tuesday as the death toll climbed to 94. The Herald, the state-controlled newspaper, reported that the incident marked the deadliest transport disaster in Zimbabwe’s history, surpassing a 1991 bus crash that left 89 people dead.
The vessel, en route from the northern town of Kariba to a remote rural community on the lake, capsized after colliding with strong waves. According to police, the ferry was designed to accommodate only 90 passengers, but it was found to be carrying 180 passengers and goods, exceeding its "carrying capacity". As the death toll steadily rose over the past week, police confirmed 94 fatalities.
So far, 77 people have been rescued, and search and recovery operations continue. Lake Kariba, situated on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, is one of the world’s largest artificial lakes.
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