The death toll from Zimbabwe’s Lake Kariba ferry disaster has reached 94, with fewer than 10 people still missing….reports Africa Daily News Desk
African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf has expressed condolences to Zimbabwe following the Lake Kariba ferry disaster, with the death toll reaching 94.
“At this difficult moment of grief, my thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families and with all those who survived this tragic incident,” Youssouf said in a post on X. “I wish them strength, comfort and healing as they cope with this profound loss.”
Youssouf said the African Union stood in solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe and communities affected by the tragedy.
Official figures showed that 77 passengers had been rescued and 94 bodies recovered, while fewer than 10 people were still missing, Xinhua news agency reported.
The Zimbabwean government has launched a formal inquest into the ferry disaster, which occurred on Lake Kariba on August 11.
Acting Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa told a post-cabinet media briefing in Harare that preliminary investigations indicated the passenger ferry was carrying about 180 people along with goods, exceeding its carrying capacity.
The vessel reportedly capsized after being hit by strong waves. Mutsvangwa said the Meteorological Services Department had issued an early warning advising lake users not to sail due to the weather conditions.
She said 77 passengers had been rescued and 93 bodies recovered as of August 18, while seven people confirmed by relatives to have been aboard remained missing.
“The government has commenced formal investigations which include examining the structural remains of the vessel and probing on operational and compliance issues,” Mutsvangwa said.
Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe, who also addressed the briefing, attributed the accident to human error and negligence by the captain.
Garwe said the captain proceeded with the journey despite the weather warning issued by the Meteorological Services Department advising against sailing.
He also rejected speculation that the ferry was unfit to operate, saying the vessel had a valid fitness certificate issued by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development.
The Cabinet has approved a full inquest to establish the circumstances surrounding the disaster, including why the captain allegedly disregarded weather warnings and safety protocols.
The Lake Kariba tragedy has prompted renewed questions over passenger capacity, compliance with safety regulations and the enforcement of weather-related warnings for vessels operating on the lake.
