Zimbabwe ferry sinking: official arrested after 97 deaths

Zimbabwe police said Wednesday they had arrested a district official on culpable homicide charges after a government-run ferry sank on Lake Kariba, killing at least 97 people.

The passenger ferry capsized in bad weather and rough waters on August 11 on the lake, which lies on the border with Zambia. Police said 97 bodies were recovered, including those of at least 30 children under 10, and 77 people were rescued.

Authorities said the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency vessel had capacity for 90 passengers. Police said the 49-year-old Kariba district coordinator for the agency had already appeared in court.

Lake Kariba straddles Zimbabwe and Zambia and is described as the world’s largest man-made lake by volume.