The recent capsizing of a ferry on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe has resulted in the tragic loss of at least 44 lives. This incident occurred on Tuesday amid adverse weather conditions, with survivors recalling that passengers had warned the captain about the dangerous waves and excess water entering the vessel. The total number of individuals aboard at the time of the incident remains uncertain, with estimates reaching as high as 153, despite official reports stating the ferry’s capacity was 90.

Government Response and Victim Assistance

In response to the disaster, President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared a state of disaster to facilitate the mobilisation of resources and measures aimed at assisting the victims. Authorities have begun retrieving bodies from the lake, which serves as a natural border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. However, updated figures concerning the injured or missing individuals have not yet been released by police.

Eyewitness accounts detail harrowing experiences aboard the vessel, with many passengers pleading for a return to shore. Survivors have reported that the captain disregarded urgent calls for help as the situation deteriorated. One survivor, Anyway Chambati, who was a crew member responsible for ticketing, indicated that he counted 153 people aboard, including infants, before the ferry overturned.

Witnesses have recounted a sense of desperation prior to the capsizing, highlighting that passengers were vocal about the precarious conditions, arguing with the captain to abort the trip. One individual noted, “We had concerns at the harbour over the waves but our warnings were ignored.” Following the departure, personal belongings, including bags and dishes, reportedly began to fall overboard within minutes.

Survivor Experiences and Aftermath

Survivors elaborated on the alarming circumstances leading up to the capsizing. Within approximately 30 minutes of voyaging, conditions worsened considerably, and water began flooding into one side of the vessel. Passengers persisted in urging the captain to turn back, but he allegedly insisted his craft had never sunk before, dismissing the mounting danger. According to reports, those who found themselves in the water were left floating while assistance failed to arrive promptly, with some survivors describing a wait of nearly an hour for help to come.

Reports from the state-run Herald newspaper indicate that the captain was among the deceased. Furthermore, the disaster management agency has provided information suggesting that the ferry was transporting at least 114 adult passengers along with five crew members. Despite this, the actual count of individuals on the vessel remains ambiguous, as these figures only include those who had purchased tickets. It is possible that children, who do not require tickets, were also on board, further complicating the tally of both passengers and casualties.

The ferry service is notably vital for rural communities around Lake Kariba, enabling them to travel to the town of Kariba on the shore. Local authorities, including member of parliament Mutsa Murombedzi, captured and shared footage showing people waving at the ferry as it departed, highlighting long-standing concerns about the vessel’s ability to withstand harsh weather conditions.

Ongoing Investigation

The aftermath of the tragedy has left officials grappling to ascertain the precise number of passengers aboard the ferry and the total number of individuals who remain unaccounted for. As rescue operations continue, both the government and local organisations are focused on providing support to those affected by this devastating incident.

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