politics
Zimbabwe Boat Accident Death Toll Hits 68 as 22 More Bodies Recovered
Eighteen children among the people killed after ferry capsized on Lake Kariba
TL;DR
- 22 more bodies recovered after a boat accident in Zimbabwe, bringing the total death toll to 68.
- The ferry capsized on Lake Kariba on Tuesday, believed to be due to overloading and heavy winds.
- Eighteen children were among the deceased, in what is potentially the country's deadliest such disaster.
- The vessel was authorized for 90 people but carried 114 adults, five crew members, and an unknown number of children.
- Survivors recounted pleas to the ferry driver to turn back and issues with lifejacket usage.
- Hundreds gathered at Kariba hospital to identify relatives, and a memorial service was held.
- Lake Kariba is the world's largest manmade lake by volume.
- Previous incidents on Lake Kariba include a 2014 accident in Zambia where 26 drowned and a 2021 incident on the Zimbabwean side with five deaths.