President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared a State of Disaster following the tragic capsizing of a vessel on Lake Kariba, with the death toll reportedly rising to at least 44 people as search and rescue efforts continue.
The disaster occurred on Tuesday afternoon when a boat operated by the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) overturned while travelling from Kariba towards Chalala. The vessel was reportedly struck by strong waves while navigating near Long Island.
The declaration was announced in an official press statement released earlier today by the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Daniel Garwe.
“The operation is being conducted in close collaboration with the Zimbabwe Republic Police Sub-Aqua Unit, the Zimbabwe National Army Boat Squadron, and other stakeholders,” Minister Garwe stated, adding that emergency teams are working around the clock.
Early on Wednesday, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that search teams had retrieved 13 bodies from the lake. However, in a later official update, police confirmed that the number of recovered bodies had risen sharply to at least 44.
According to preliminary details provided by Minister Garwe, the vessel was carrying approximately 119 people at the time of the accident. This figure includes 114 adult passengers and unconfirmed number of children and 5 vessel crew members
