15 Dead, 27 Missing After Boat Capsizes on Zimbabwe’s Lake Kariba

At least 15 people have died after a boat carrying dozens of passengers sank on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe, with rescue operations still underway.

Zimbabwean police said the vessel was carrying 90 passengers and five crew members when it capsized on Tuesday. Authorities, however, suspect the boat may have been overloaded, with registered ticket sales suggesting that more people were on board.

Police said the vessel was struck by a strong wave before overturning. Footage circulating online appeared to show part of the boat floating on the lake.

The Zimbabwe Civil Protection Unit (CPU) said ticket records indicated that 114 adults were on board. It added that there could have been an unknown number of children who were below the age at which tickets are required.

So far, 77 passengers have been rescued, while 15 bodies have been recovered, according to the CPU.

Two funeral parlours have been assigned to receive and transport the recovered bodies.

Lake Kariba, which lies along the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, is one of the world’s largest man-made reservoirs. The lake supports transportation and fishing activities and is also an important source of hydroelectric power for both countries.

Mutsa Murombedzi, a local Member of Parliament, shared a video on X showing what she said was the boat at the beginning of its journey.

She said residents regularly used the vessel to travel across the lake to Kariba town, a trip that takes approximately five hours.

“We have very hard questions that require honest answers. The officials must release the correct number of people who were onboard,” she wrote.

Police said further details about the incident would be released in due course as rescue and recovery operations continue.