At least 15 people have died after a boat carrying dozens of passengers capsized on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe, with rescue teams continuing to search for survivors, authorities said.
Police said 90 passengers and five crew members were initially believed to have been aboard the vessel when it overturned on Tuesday after being hit by a strong wave. However, the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) said registered ticket sales indicated that 114 adults had boarded, raising concerns that the boat may have been overloaded. Officials said there could also have been children who were not required to purchase tickets.
The CPU said 77 people had been rescued and 15 bodies recovered as emergency operations continued. Two funeral parlours were deployed to collect the recovered bodies.
Local lawmaker Mutsa Murombedzi said residents regularly used the vessel to travel across the lake to Kariba town, a journey that can take about five hours. She called for authorities to establish the exact number of people aboard the boat and determine whether overcrowding contributed to the disaster.
Lake Kariba straddles the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia and is one of the world’s largest artificial reservoirs. It is an important source of transport, fishing and hydroelectric power for both countries.
Police said further details would be released as rescue and investigation efforts continue.
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