Disasters & Incidents
Zimbabwe ferry capsize kills 15, 27 missing, officials say
At least 15 people died and 27 were missing after an overcrowded ferry capsized on Zimbabwe's Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe's civil protection unit said Wednesday.
The unit said the boat overturned Tuesday after hitting strong waves. It was carrying 114 adult passengers, five crew members and some children, despite having capacity for 90 people.
The civil protection unit said 77 passengers had been rescued by Matusadonha rescue teams and others, and that 15 bodies had been retrieved. It said a specialised aquatic rescue unit had been airlifted to the area to help with the search.
The ferry provides transport between the northern town of Kariba and several islands and fishing camps. Lake Kariba lies on Zimbabwe's border with Zambia, more than 300 kilometres northeast of Harare.
Update
A specialised aquatic rescue unit was airlifted to the area to help search for the missing.
Zimbabwe's civil protection unit said 15 bodies had been retrieved and funeral parlours had been engaged to collect them.
The ferry provides transport between Kariba and several islands and fishing camps.
Lake Kariba lies on Zimbabwe's border with Zambia, more than 300 kilometres northeast of Harare.
Source note: AFP news report published on 12 August 2026 at 05:46:55 UTC.
Update
The ferry capsized on Zimbabwe's Lake Kariba.
Zimbabwe's civil protection unit said 77 passengers were rescued.
The unit said the boat overturned Tuesday after hitting strong waves.
The boat was carrying 114 adult passengers, five crew members and some children despite a capacity of 90 people.
The search for the missing was continuing.
Source note: AFP news report published on 12 August 2026 at 05:32:45 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The exact number of children on board was not specified.
The number of people on board is not given as a single confirmed total because the number of children was not specified.
The fate of about 27 people remained unaccounted for at the time of the civil protection unit statement.
Source
AFP news report published on .