Zimbabwe Confirms 93 Deaths in Lake Kariba Shipwreck

Zimbabwean authorities raised the death toll from the Lake Kariba shipwreck to 93, confirming the deaths of 39 children.

Rescue teams and divers continue the search and rescue efforts in Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe. Photo: Infobae

August 18, 2026 Hour: 11:55 am

On Tuesday, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) reported that the death toll from the shipwreck on Lake Kariba has risen to 93, including 39 minors. Security forces released a new list of identities, bringing the total number of victims positively identified by their families to 83.

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Currently, at least ten bodies remain unidentified. Minister of Provincial Affairs Marian Chombo detailed the challenges of the forensic process: “It will be very difficult to identify the bodies that are being recovered. So far, people are relying on identifying clothing and other characteristics, but time is running out, and DNA testing may now be necessary.” The confirmed victims include children as young as one month old and teenagers.

In a previous update on August 14, the ZRP had released the details of 44 people, including 18 minors, to which the 21 children and teenagers listed this Tuesday are now added.

The tragedy occurred on August 11. The vessel, belonging to the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA), was sailing between Chalala and Kariba. Police investigations determined that the ship was carrying more than 120 people, exceeding its maximum authorized capacity of 90 passengers.

While the police initially reported 67 rescued, the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) put the number of survivors at 77, who either swam to safety or were washed ashore on a small island.

In response to the emergency, President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared a national disaster, deploying the army, divers, and aircraft. Police continue to work closely with authorities and families to identify the remaining victims, urging citizens with missing persons to contact the command center in Kariba.

The disaster occurred at Lake Kariba, the world’s largest artificial reservoir by volume, with a capacity of approximately 180 cubic kilometers.

This body of water, formed by the dam built on the Zambezi River between 1956 and 1959 by Italian engineers, lies on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia and serves as a vital transportation route and hydroelectric power supply for the region.

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