Lake Kariba Ferry Death Toll Hits 72, Including 18 Children
Updated
Updated · CNN · Aug 15
Lake Kariba Ferry Death Toll Hits 72, Including 18 Children
3 articles · Updated · CNN · Aug 15
Summary
Police said 26 more bodies were recovered after Tuesday’s Lake Kariba ferry capsize, raising the death toll to 72, with 18 children among the victims.
Strong waves hit an overloaded, aging ferry traveling from Kariba town to remote fishing and rural communities; authorities say it could carry 90 people, while estimates put passengers at up to 153.
Seventy-seven people were rescued, but officials still have not said how many were aboard in total or how many remain missing.
A police victim list showed 16 of the dead children were 10 or younger, including a 1-year-old, after earlier uncertainty because children below ticketing age were not counted.
The disaster underscores how communities along the vast Zimbabwe-Zambia border lake rely on ferries as damaged roads and scarce public transport limit safer travel options.