At least 15 people were killed and 27 remain missing after an overcrowded ferry capsized on Zimbabwe’s Lake Kariba, authorities said Wednesday, August 12.
The boat, which transports passengers between the northern town of Kariba and several islands and fishing camps, overturned on Tuesday after hitting strong waves.
According to Zimbabwe’s Civil Protection Unit (CPU), the ferry was carrying 114 adult passengers, five crew members and some children, despite having a capacity of only 90 people.
“So far, 77 passengers have been rescued by Matusadonha rescue teams and others,” the CPU said, adding that 15 bodies have been retrieved.
Two funeral parlours have been engaged to collect the bodies for processing. About 27 people remain unaccounted for.
A specialised aquatic rescue unit has been airlifted to the area to assist in the ongoing search, the CPU said.
Lake Kariba sits on Zimbabwe’s border with Zambia, more than 300 kilometres (185 miles) northeast of the capital, Harare. It is the world’s largest man-made lake by volume.