Lake Kariba Ferry Capsizes, 15 Dead, 27 Missing

A ferry capsized on Lake Kariba, the world’s largest man‑made lake, in a tragedy that has left at least 15 people dead and 27 missing. The overcrowded vessel, which had a capacity of 90, was carrying 114 adult passengers, five crew members and an unknown number of children, according to Zimbabwe’s Civil Protection Unit. The incident occurred when waves overturned the boat, forcing rescuers to launch a large-scale operation to locate survivors and recover bodies.

Emergency crews from the CPU, the national police and the Zimbabwe Defence Forces have been working around the clock to search the lake and its surrounding shoreline. Local authorities have urged the public to avoid the water until the situation is fully assessed, citing the risk of additional casualties. The incident has prompted a review of ferry safety regulations on Lake Kariba, with officials calling for stricter enforcement of passenger limits and better emergency preparedness on the lake’s vessels.

The rescue effort continues as teams comb the lake for survivors and missing persons. The government has pledged full support to the families affected and is coordinating with international partners for additional expertise and resources. As the search progresses, the community remains on edge, awaiting further updates from authorities on the outcome of the operation.