44 people dead after boat crash in Zimbabwe

At least 44 people have been confirmed dead and others are missing after an overcrowded boat capsized on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe on Tuesday.

“The ZRP informs the public that the death toll in the Kariba RIDA boat accident is now 44,” Zimbabwe’s police said in a statement on Wednesday.

The country’s civil protection unit noted that the boat, which was supposed to carry 90 people, allegedly held 114 adult passengers, five crew members and an unspecified number of children.

It explained that the boat overturned after hitting large waves.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa expressed condolences to the victims, adding that the tragedy exposed serious deficiencies in the country’s maritime capabilities.

“Accordingly, I direct all agencies associated with our maritime safety, including, especially, specialised units within our security forces, to take an active interest in ensuring remedial interventions in this area,” Mr Mnangagwa said.

The president directed relevant authorities to provide all necessary assistance to the affected families, adding that all the missing people would be accounted for.