Zimbabwe’s Chinhoyi Catholic Diocese Calls for Support of Ferry Disaster Victims as Death Toll Hits 84

According to the latest updates, Zimbabwean authorities reported that four additional bodies were recovered on Sunday, August 16, bringing the number of confirmed deaths to 84. Search operations are continuing for people still believed to be missing.

Seventy-seven people were reportedly rescued in the initial rescue operation, while at least 18 children are among those who died. Sixteen of the children were aged 10 or younger, including a one-year-old.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has mourned the victims and declared a state of disaster following the accident. The government has been coordinating rescue and recovery operations while providing assistance to affected families.

Catholic Bishops in Zimbabwe have joined the affected families in mourning, assuring them of their prayers and solidarity.

In a Wednesday, August 12 statement, the secretariat of the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ZCBC) said the Church leaders had learned with “profound sorrow” about the capsizing of the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) Mbuya Nehanda ferry.

“This tragedy is not a loss for the affected families alone; it is a loss for our entire nation,” the Catholic Bishops said in the statement shared with ACI Africa.

In the statement that ACI Africa obtained August 17, Bishop Ngwenya of Chinhoyi Catholic that also lost some parishoners in the incident expressed spiritual solidarity with all the victims.

“We commend the souls of the departed to the loving mercy of God and pray for the speedy recovery of those physically and psychologically affected. We also pray for strength and consolation for all those grieving,” he said.