Zimbabwe Ferry Disaster: Death Toll Rises to 84

Authorities in Zimbabwe are continuing their search for bodies after an overloaded ferry capsized on Lake Kariba last week, resulting in the loss of over 80 lives.

The ferry, which was authorized to carry 90 people, capsized in strong waves on Tuesday. The incident has left the nation in shock, with many still reeling from the devastating news.

According to the police, the death toll has risen to 84, from 72 the previous day, as more bodies were recovered. The Zimbabwe Disaster Management Agency has reported that 77 people were rescued from the water, but the exact number of passengers on board remains unclear.

Estimates had put the number of passengers as high as 153, but the latest official figures suggest the number of passengers could be even higher. The ferry was traveling from the town of Kariba to rural and fishing communities in the country’s northwest, where roads are damaged and public transportation is scarce.

The incident has highlighted the need for improved safety measures on Lake Kariba, which is shared by Zimbabwe and Zambia. The lake is the world’s largest human-made lake by volume, created by damming the mighty Zambezi River in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Among the dead are 18 children, with the youngest just 1 year old. According to the police, 16 of the victims were aged 10 or younger. The incident has sent shockwaves across the nation, with many calling for improved safety measures to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.

The ferry disaster has also raised concerns about the aging infrastructure on Lake Kariba. The ferry was reportedly in poor condition, and its age has been cited as a contributing factor to the incident.

The search efforts are still underway, with authorities working to recover victims identified as missing. The incident has left many families in a state of mourning, and the nation is coming together to offer support and condolences.