At least 44 die in Zimbabwe boat accident

Harare, Zimbabwe
Reuters

At least 44 people died after a passenger ferry capsized in a lake in Zimbabwe on Tuesday, police said, roughly trebling an earlier estimate of the death count after more bodies were found.

Rescue workers and local boat operators take part in ongoing search and recovery operations near the overturned passenger ferry on Lake Kariba, a day after the vessel capsized, in Kariba, Zimbabwe, on 12th August, 2026. PICTURE: Reuters/Admore Mbonda

Investigations suggested the boat was overloaded when it went over during heavy winds on Lake Kariba, officers said on Wednesday.

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The vessel was built to carry 90 passengers, but more than 120 people could have been on board as it crossed the lake that borders Zambia, police said in a statement.

So far 67 people have been rescued and taken to a primary school for medical attention, the force added.