Zimbabwe ferry disaster death toll rises to 84

The death toll from a ferry disaster on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe has risen to 84, as rescue teams recovered 12 more bodies on Sunday, according to the Zimbabwe Republic Police Source: listindiario. The ferry, operated by the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA), capsized on Tuesday amid strong waves while traveling from Kariba to rural and fishing communities in the northwest, where roads are damaged and public transport is scarce Source: cnn.

The disaster

The vessel was authorized to carry 90 passengers, but initial estimates suggested up to 120 people were on board, with some sources citing up to 153 Source: infobae. The Ministry of Local Government reported 114 adult passengers and five crew members, plus an undetermined number of children Source: abces. Among the deceased are 18 children, with the youngest just one year old Source: mileniomx.

Rescue and response

Rescue efforts have recovered bodies over several days, with the toll climbing from 46 to 72, then to 80, and now 84 Source: emolcl. The Civil Protection Unit reported 77 survivors, who swam or were washed onto a nearby islet and were evacuated by rescue boats Source: infobae. President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared a national disaster, mobilizing army resources, divers, and aircraft, and acknowledged serious deficiencies in maritime inspection and safety systems Source: lavozar.

Discrepancies

Sources differ on the number of passengers and survivors. The police initially said 67 were rescued, while the Civil Protection Unit said 77 Source: infobae. Passenger estimates range from 119 to 153 Source: abces. The exact number of missing remains unclear Source: mileniomx.