An overloaded ferry tragically overturned on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe, resulting in the loss of at least 15 lives, while 27 individuals remain unaccounted for, according to the national disaster management agency. Out of the total passengers on board, which included 114 adults with confirmed ticket sales, there may have been additional children below the ticketing age who were not included in the count. The ferry, known as RIDA boat named Mbuya Nehanda, was reported to have had five crew members, surpassing its intended capacity of 90 passengers.

Local Member of Parliament Mutsa Murombedzi shared a video showing people on the shore waving at the ferry as it embarked on its journey, expressing concerns about its ability to withstand the lake’s rough waves. The ferry was a vital mode of transport for rural communities traveling between Kariba and Kariba urban area, with the crossing taking approximately 5 hours.

Zimbabwean authorities initiated a rescue operation following the incident, with footage released by the state broadcaster ZBC revealing speedboats approaching the overturned vessel while a helicopter provided aerial support. Lake Kariba, situated between Zimbabwe and Zambia, stands as the largest man-made lake globally in terms of volume. Originating from the construction of a dam wall blocking the Zambezi River in the late 1950s and early 1960s, the lake spans over 200 kilometers in length and up to 40 kilometers in width at certain points. The official border between Zimbabwe and Zambia runs through the center of Lake Kariba, symbolizing the shared ownership of this vast water body.