Zimbabwe: Lake Kariba Boat Accident Death Toll Rises to 97 As Two More Bodies Recovered

What the report says

The death toll from the Kariba Rural Infrastructure Development Agency boat disaster in Zimbabwe has climbed to 97 after police said two more bodies were recovered from Lake Kariba on Thursday. According to reporting carried by New Zimbabwe and distributed by AllAfrica, the latest recovery came on the tenth day of the search operation, with police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirming the updated figure.

The vessel capsized on August 11 while travelling from Kariba to Chalala and was carrying villagers and fish traders who regularly used the boat to cross the lake. The boat was operated by RIDA under the Office of the President and Cabinet. Authorities have said the captain is being blamed for allegedly sailing despite meteorological advice not to do so, although investigations into the cause and circumstances are still continuing.

The disaster has become one of Zimbabwe’s deadliest transport tragedies in decades, surpassing the scale of the 1991 Nyanga bus crash, which killed more than 80 people. Families have been gathering at the Kariba command centre for information about missing relatives, while rescue teams continue searching the large lake. The exact number of passengers on board remains unclear, with official and survivor accounts reported to differ.