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At least 44 people have died after an overloaded ferry capsized in Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe, with many others still missing as rescuers continue their search.
The accident occurred on Tuesday (11 August), according to the country’s police.
Police said the ferry was designed to carry 90 passengers. However, ticketing records showed that at least 114 adults and five crew members were on board when the vessel sank. Several young children who did not require tickets were also believed to have been aboard, meaning the actual number of passengers could be higher.
The ferry had departed from Kariba town when it capsized amid strong waves. Witnesses said rough weather had made the lake particularly turbulent.
Passengers reportedly panicked after water began entering the ferry. Some survivors said they had urged the operator to turn the vessel back as the waves became increasingly dangerous, but their requests were allegedly ignored.
The situation worsened when water entered the engine room, leaving the ferry out of control before it eventually overturned.
Rescuers recovered 77 people alive from the scene. The death toll later rose to 44 as more bodies were recovered from the lake.
With the search and rescue operation still underway, authorities fear the number of casualties could rise.
Following the accident, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared a state of disaster.
Military naval units, police divers, helicopters and personnel from several agencies have been deployed to assist with the rescue operation.
Lake Kariba, located on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, is one of the world’s largest artificial lakes. It is an important waterway for local communities and supports fishing, transportation and electricity generation in the two countries.