The death toll from the ferry accident in Zimbabwe has risen to 69
The death toll from the ferry capsizing on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe has risen to 69 after 23 more bodies were recovered from the water. The vessel capsized on Tuesday shortly after leaving the harbor in the city of Kariba, according to Al Jazeera English.
According to preliminary police findings, the vessel may have been overloaded. An estimated 153 people were on board, although the maximum permitted capacity was 90 passengers.
At least 18 children were among the dead, including 16 under the age of 10, the state broadcaster ZBC reported. Among the identified victims was the ship’s 59-year-old captain, Sign Patsikadova.
A search-and-rescue operation involving police divers, military personnel, and local fishermen continued on Saturday, officials said. According to emergency response services, 77 people were rescued shortly after the accident. Many of them were first taken to a nearby island and then to medical facilities in the Caribbean.
For more breaking news, follow the UA.News Telegram channel.
Survivors told reporters that strong winds whipped up waves, causing the vessel to take on water. According to them, passengers asked the operator to return to shore, but the vessel continued out onto the open lake and capsized.
The Zimbabwean government declared a national disaster and mobilized relief services to distribute food to affected families. The ferry was a vital link for remote fishing communities, delivering food and providing access to markets and essential services. Residents told the local newspaper The Herald that, following the ferry’s loss, stores that relied on this transport have already faced shortages of goods.
Lake Kariba is located on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, more than 300 km northeast of Harare. It is the world’s largest artificial reservoir by water volume; accidents there are relatively rare.
Download our app
Credit: Source link