At least 15 dead, dozens missing as ferry capsizes in Zimbabwe

What the report says

Zimbabwe’s Civil Protection Unit says at least 15 people have died and 27 others remain missing after a ferry capsized on Lake Kariba on Tuesday, with rescue teams still searching the water. Officials said at least 77 people were pulled out alive after the vessel overturned in strong waves.

According to the agency, the ferry was traveling between the northern town of Kariba and nearby islands and fishing camps, and was carrying more than its permitted capacity of 90 people. The unit said it could verify 114 adult passengers through ticket sales, along with five crew members, while noting that some children may also have been aboard and not counted.

Rescue operations involved police, local boats, divers, the army and a helicopter. Video aired by state broadcaster ZBC showed speedboats heading toward what appeared to be the overturned vessel. A witness quoted by AFP said the boat had left in bad weather and may have been struck by a wave, causing its engines to stop.

Lake Kariba, on Zimbabwe’s border with Zambia, is a major transport route and one of the world’s largest man-made lakes. The accident underscores ongoing safety risks on busy inland waterways, especially when vessels are overloaded or weather turns poor.