What happened?
A ferry with a 90‑seat limit overloaded with at least 168 people capsized on Lake Kariba a week ago, killing 93 people and the first life‑saving attempt collapsed against a fierce wave.
The Lusaka–Harare waterway is an essential transport link for rural communities, and the boat was carrying parents heading home for school holidays and traders with goods.
After the accident, President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared a state of disaster and divers have been combing the lake for the last victims, many drifting toward Zambia.
Who were affected?
Sixty‑seven people were rescued, but 83 bodies have been identified so far, including 39 children. Some recovered bodies are hard to identify because relatives rely on clothing and other personal items, prompting the minister to say DNA may soon be needed.
Survivors say the ferry was overcrowded and life jackets were buried under luggage, with most passengers unable to get to them. The captain reportedly ignored warnings of rough conditions.
Why is this a big deal?
With 93 lives lost, the sinking now ranks as Zimbabwe’s deadliest transport incident in recorded history, raising concerns about safety standards, overcrowding, and emergency response on the lake.
