Zimbabwe ferry disaster death toll rises to 69

Police have announced that 23 additional bodies have been recovered from Lake Kariba following the capsizing of an overloaded vessel on Tuesday. The incident, which occurred in the western part of the lake, has now brought the total number of confirmed fatalities to 73, according to the local authorities.

Emergency crews, including the Zimbabwe National Water Authority and the Zimbabwean Navy, have been conducting search and rescue operations in the lake’s shallow northern basin. The vessel, described as a small passenger boat, was reportedly carrying more passengers than its capacity allowed. The police are investigating the circumstances of the overload and the safety protocols that were in place.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has urged the public to exercise caution when using water transport on Lake Kariba and has pledged to review safety regulations for vessels operating on the lake. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are working to identify all victims and determine the exact cause of the tragedy.