Kariba ferry death toll rises to 93, making it Zimbabwe's deadliest transport disaster

The ferry on Lake Kariba, carrying 90 passengers in design, was found to have at least 168 people aboard when it was hit by a strong wave and overturned a week ago. The death toll climbed from 44 at the time of the accident to 93, according to a police statement posted on Tuesday.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared a state of disaster following the disaster and search and recovery efforts are continuing by divers. 83 of the victims have so far been identified, 39 of whom were children. The bodies are being recovered further away from the scene, some drifting towards Zambia.

Provincial Affairs Minister Marian Chombo said 67 people had been rescued after the sinking. The minister added that it was proving difficult to identify some of the recovered bodies – relatives relying on clothes and other items – and that “DNA may now be needed to assist in the identification process.”

A vital and cheap transport link for rural communities, the ferry was carrying parents taking their children home for school holidays and traders. One survivor in her 40s told AFP the ferry was particularly overloaded with goods at the time, and passengers had raised concerns about rough conditions. “The life jackets were buried under the luggage, and not more than 30 people managed to get them,” said Itayi Marumisa, a trader from Mola village.

“Children were screaming and most of the passengers were vomiting, but the captain did not seem to care.”

A local councillor from Mola, Tight Bhusumani, said the community was grieving. “We have distressing cases where a child lost both parents and other siblings, leaving them as the only surviving member of the family.” He said families are still awaiting news on others who may have been on the ferry.

The disaster underscores the need for stricter safety regulations in ferry transport and better emergency response mechanisms in the region that straddles Zimbabwe and Zambia.