Zimbabwe Ferry Disaster Death Toll Rises to 46 on Lake Kariba

The death toll from a ferry disaster on Zimbabwe's Lake Kariba has risen to 46, police announced.

The overloaded government ferry overturned in choppy waters on Tuesday. Officials stated the boat was authorized to carry 90 people but was packed with 114 adults, five crew members, and an unspecified number of children. Seventy-seven people were rescued from the vessel. Chance Siyamavhu, a 45-year-old survivor, described watching helplessly as people struggled to save themselves, noting his best friend and seven of his relatives were among the dead.

He said most people scrambled for life jackets but did not know how to use them. Anymore Chambati, a security official on the vessel, stated he managed to hand out fewer than 10 life jackets as the boat began to sink. Survivors reported pleading for the captain to turn back as the boat took on water.

Zimbabwe has declared a state of disaster following the tragedy. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa offered condolences, stating South Africa stands in solidarity with Zimbabwe during this time of mourning. Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa also sent his condolences on Wednesday, describing the accident as a tragedy that exposed serious problems with the country's maritime capabilities.

Mnangagwa called on government agencies responsible for safety and emergency operations to urgently address these shortcomings to prevent future disasters. Lake Kariba, where the incident occurred, lies on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia and is the world's largest man-made lake by volume. The vessel, named 'Mbuya Nehanda', was reportedly sailing from Kariba to Chalala fishing camps.