At least 44 die as ferry sinks in Zimbabwe's Lake Kariba

What the report says

At least 44 people have died after a ferry sank on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe, according to police cited by Nile Post. The accident happened on Tuesday on the large reservoir that lies on the Zimbabwe-Zambia border and is used for transport, fishing and hydroelectric power. Officials said the vessel was carrying more people than its listed capacity, with reports indicating about 120 people were onboard, including children, while the ferry was designed for 90 passengers and five crew members.

Police said a strong wave struck the boat and caused it to overturn. Search and rescue efforts continued after the sinking, and authorities said 77 people had been rescued. Footage circulating online reportedly showed the vessel’s hull overturned in the water. An eyewitness described severe distress among passengers, while local leaders questioned the accuracy of the manifest and called for officials to clarify how many people were aboard.

Zimbabwe’s president declared a state of disaster, and the government said additional resources were being deployed for the response. Those efforts included an army boat unit, a police diving team and a privately owned helicopter, according to the report. The incident highlights the risks of travel on Lake Kariba, especially in bad weather, and raises broader safety concerns about passenger counts and enforcement on crowded ferry routes.