Kariba Ferry Disaster: Death Toll Rises to 97 as Official Charged
The death toll from the sinking of a passenger ferry on Lake Kariba has risen to 97, with authorities confirming the recovery of two more bodies on Thursday, the tenth day of the search operation. Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the bodies were recovered from the lake on Thursday afternoon.
The vessel, operated by the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) under the Office of the President and Cabinet, capsized on August 11 while travelling from Kariba to Chalala, carrying villagers and fish traders who routinely use the boat to cross Lake Kariba. At least 97 people have died, and 77 were rescued, making the tragedy the deadliest maritime disaster ever recorded in Zimbabwe.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared the disaster a national emergency, allowing the government to mobilise additional resources for the response and to support affected families.
Investigation and Arrest
Police have arrested and charged RIDA District Coordinator Ignatius Chiome (49) with culpable homicide in connection with the disaster. Chiome appeared in court and remains in custody, according to police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi. "The ZRP confirms the arrest and subsequent court appearance of Kariba RIDA District Coordinator, Ignatius Chiome (49), on criminal charges of culpable homicide," Nyathi said.
The government has blamed the boat's captain, who reportedly ignored the Meteorological department's advice not to sail, for the accident. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the disaster are ongoing.
The vessel, which had an authorised capacity of 90 passengers, was severely overloaded. Authorities previously reported at least 114 adult passengers and five crew members on board, while other counts put the number of people aboard at more than 150. The exact number of people on the ferry remains under investigation amid conflicting accounts from authorities and survivors.
The ferry capsized in bad weather while travelling between Kariba town and Chalala, serving as a crucial transport link for villagers and fish traders who rely on the service to cross the lake. At least 30 children under the age of 10 are among the dead.
The rising death toll has made the tragedy Zimbabwe's worst accident in decades, surpassing the 1991 Nyanga bus disaster, in which more than 80 people died. Lake Kariba straddles the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia and is one of the world's largest man-made lakes by volume. Search and recovery teams continue to scour the lake for bodies, as families await news of missing relatives.
Government Response
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared the disaster a national disaster, a move that allows the government to mobilise additional resources for the response and to assist affected communities, according to reports. The disaster has prompted renewed scrutiny of safety standards on the lake's passenger boats.