Amanze Chinonye
The death toll from Zimbabwe’s ferry disaster has risen to 68 after search teams recovered 22 more bodies on Saturday, police said, as the operation to recover victims and account for those still missing continued, Prime Business Africa reports.
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The government-operated Mbuya Nehanda ferry capsized on Tuesday in strong waves while travelling from the lakeside town of Kariba to rural and fishing communities in northwestern Zimbabwe. Police said investigations indicated that the vessel was overloaded when it overturned.
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The latest recoveries raised the confirmed death toll from 46 to 68. Police said 18 children were among those killed. A police list showed that 16 of the child victims were aged 10 or younger, including a one-year-old.
The number of people aboard the ferry remains uncertain. Authorities said the vessel had a capacity of 90 passengers, but ticket records showed 114 adults and five crew members were on board. Estimates have put the total number of people aboard at as many as 153.
Zimbabwe’s disaster management agency said 77 people were rescued after the ferry capsized. Authorities have not established how many people remain missing, with the discrepancy between passenger estimates, survivors and recovered bodies complicating efforts to determine the final casualty figure.
Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Muchechesi, commander of the boat regiment involved in the search, said rescuers recovered the 22 bodies during Saturday’s operation. He said cold winter conditions were slowing the recovery because bodies were taking longer to surface.
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Hundreds of relatives gathered at a district hospital in Kariba to identify recovered bodies, while authorities continued the search and recovery operation. A memorial service was held in Kariba on Thursday for victims of the disaster.
The ferry was a key transport link for communities around the lake, where damaged roads and limited public transport leave residents dependent on water transport to reach Kariba town.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared the incident a national disaster, while authorities continued investigating the circumstances surrounding the capsize, including the ferry’s passenger load and its operation in strong winds.
The latest death toll makes the incident one of Zimbabwe’s deadliest recent water transport disasters. Search and recovery efforts remain ongoing as authorities work to identify the victims and establish the full number of people who were aboard the ferry.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
