Kariba Boat Had Over 119 People On Board Despite 90 Capacity

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has said official information on the victims of the Lake Kariba boat accident, including those rescued, injured and dead, will only be released after the scene management process is complete.

This comes after the Mbuyanehanda Ferry, operated by the District Development Fund (DDF), capsized near Long Island on Tuesday afternoon.

In a statement issued on Tuesday night, the ZRP appealed to the media, the public and those at the scene to exercise caution when publishing casualty figures.

“The ZRP assures Zimbabweans and relatives of the Kariba boat accident victims that official information on the rescued victims, those injured or dead, will be released in due course after the scene management process is complete,” the police said.

“Meanwhile, the ZRP urges the media, the public and those at the scene to be cautious on releasing the total figures of the victims either injured or dead and to allow the ZRP and Government authorities to manage the situation professionally without interference and distortion of figures.”

The Civil Protection Unit (CPU) in Mashonaland West Province issued its own update on Tuesday night, providing the most detailed account so far.

According to the CPU, the ferry was carrying 114 adult passengers, confirmed through ticket sales, five crew members and an undisclosed number of children below ticketing age, despite having a carrying capacity of 90.

“The boat had 114 adult passengers on board (confirmed through tickets from the accounts), five crew members, and undisclosed children below ticketing age. The boat has a carrying capacity of 90,” the CPU said.

The unit said 77 passengers had been rescued by Matusadona rescue teams and others and were on Long Island in the middle of the lake. Boats had been mobilised to bring them ashore, an operation that was still underway on Tuesday night.

The CPU added that fifteen bodies have been retrieved, and two funeral parlours have been engaged to collect them for processing. About 27 people remain unaccounted for.

The Police Sub-Aqua Unit has been airlifted to the scene to conduct search and rescue operations.

“This is the report to date, but you will be continuously updated as the search and rescue unfolds. This office recommends that this accident be declared a state of disaster,” the CPU added.