The death toll from the Mbuya Nehanda ferry disaster on Lake Kariba has risen to 92 after eight more bodies were recovered, making it Zimbabwe’s deadliest transport tragedy in history.
The toll now surpasses the 1991 Nyanga bus disaster, which killed 89 people. Six of the latest victims remain unidentified, and authorities have indicated that DNA testing may be required as decomposition has made visual identification difficult. Some bodies were found far from the original crash site, swept by currents across the lake.
Overloaded Ferry Ignored Warnings
The ferry capsized on August 11 while crossing from Kariba to the rural community of Chalala. Investigations indicate the vessel was severely overloaded, carrying at least 114 adults, five crew members, and an unspecified number of children despite an authorised capacity of just 90 passengers. Other reports put the number on board at up to 153.
Survivors told investigators that passengers raised concerns about weather conditions before departure, after a strong gust of wind caused luggage to fall from the vessel while it was still in harbour. The engine reportedly stopped mid-crossing, and the ferry turned broadside to the waves before capsizing near Long Island. At least 67 people have been rescued.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared a state of disaster and acknowledged maritime safety failures, ordering a review of the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency’s fleet and operational procedures.
The Mbuya Nehanda was operated by Zimbabwe’s Rural Infrastructure Development Agency and served as a vital transport link for families, traders, and fish buyers in a region with few road alternatives. Communities in Mola have been devastated, with reports of families losing multiple relatives and children left orphaned. Some survivors face food shortages while awaiting the recovery of loved ones.
Safety Failures Under Scrutiny
The disaster has reignited debate over Zimbabwe’s transport safety standards. A report by The Zimbabwean newspaper detailed what the state knew about the ferry’s condition before the voyage, raising questions about regulatory oversight. International observers have called for independent investigations into the cause and the broader state of inland waterway safety across southern Africa.
Search operations on Lake Kariba continue, and authorities have warned the death toll may rise further as recovery teams expand their sweep of the lake floor. The disaster is the worst maritime incident in Zimbabwe since independence and has drawn condolences from governments across the continent, including Egypt.
Sources: Al Jazeera; BBC; Africanews; allAfrica; The Zimbabwean
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