Zimbabwe Ferry Disaster Death Toll Rises to 72, Including 18 Children

At least 72 people, including 18 children, have been killed after an overloaded ferry capsized on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe.

Police reported that 26 more bodies were recovered, bringing the total death toll to 72. The ferry capsized in strong waves on Tuesday, August 11. The aging vessel was traveling from the town of Kariba to rural and fishing communities in the country's northwest, an area with damaged roads and scarce public transportation. Authorities have not disclosed the total number of people aboard or how many remain missing.

Estimates for passengers reached as high as 153, despite the ferry's capacity of 90. Zimbabwe's disaster management agency confirmed 77 people were rescued. A police list later showed 16 child victims were aged 10 or younger, with the youngest being one year old. Officials initially stated the number of children was unknown as those below ticketing age were not included in passenger estimates.

Lake Kariba, the world's largest human-made lake by volume, stretches over 200 kilometers and is up to 40 kilometers wide, shared by Zimbabwe and Zambia. This incident is believed to be the country's deadliest disaster of its kind. Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Muchechesi, commander of the boat regiment, noted that cold winter weather was slowing the rise of bodies to the surface.

Hundreds gathered at the district hospital in Kariba to identify relatives, and a public memorial service was held on Thursday before burials commenced. Some families, like Collen Ndandalika's, lost multiple members.