Key facts
- The death toll from a boat accident on Lake Kariba has risen to 80.
- Eight more bodies were recovered on Sunday, August 16.
- The Mbuyanehanda KF551 vessel capsized last week.
- A total of 67 people survived the incident.
- Search operations are ongoing, with calls to extend into Zambian waters.
The death toll from a boat accident on Lake Kariba has risen to 80 after eight additional bodies were recovered on Sunday, August 16. The Mbuyanehanda KF551 vessel capsized last week while en route from Kariba Urban to Chalala Fishing Camp, reportedly encountering strong winds and rough waves.
Search and recovery teams, including the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zimbabwe National Army, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, and community volunteers, have been conducting operations. Authorities have confirmed 67 survivors, while the exact number of people aboard the vessel when it capsized remains unverified.
Zimbabwe is intensifying calls for expanded search operations to include Zambian waters, as some missing individuals are believed to have been swept towards Starvation Island, which falls under Zambian jurisdiction. While Zimbabwe has a Memorandum of Understanding with Zambia for cross-border cooperation during emergencies, official comment from Zambian authorities regarding the expanded search had not been received by the time of publication.
Authorities are urging boat operators to exercise extreme caution during the windy season and ensure vessels are equipped with safety gear.