– ZIMBABWE
A government ferry carrying 90 passengers and five crew members capsized on Lake Kariba on Tuesday afternoon. The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirmed the incident, which involved a vessel belonging to the District Development Fund navigating the large man-made lake located on the border with Zambia. Rescue operations began immediately after notification was received that the vessel had capsized near Long Island.
The ferry provides a regular transport service between the town of Kariba and nearby islands and fishing camps. Lake Kariba is the world's largest artificial lake by volume and is situated more than 300 kilometers northeast of the capital, Harare. Police issued a brief official statement noting that there were 95 people on board at the time of the accident.
Emergency response teams including the police diving unit, army personnel, and local authorities deployed to the scene to conduct rescue operations. Officials from the inland water transport department also acknowledged the incident and confirmed the deployment of assistance teams. The national police force stated that further details would be provided in due course.
Authorities have not yet provided official figures regarding the number of people rescued, injured, or missing. The priority remains the ongoing search and recovery operation on the lake. Police have limited their public statements to the confirmed facts of the capsizing and the response currently underway.
The District Development Fund vessel is part of the government services providing affordable water transport in the region. Search operations continue on Lake Kariba as emergency teams work to locate and assist everyone who was on board when the ferry capsized.