The death toll from the Rural Infrastructural Development Agency (RIDA) passenger ferry accident, which occurred on Tuesday, 11 August, has risen to 84 after four more bodies were recovered on Sunday.
In a statement issued on Sunday, 16 August 2026, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed that four more bodies were recovered from Lake Kariba, with rescue teams still working to locate and recover more victims.
“The ZRP reports that the death toll is now 84 after the recovery of four bodies from the lake this afternoon. The Police confirm that search efforts are still underway in a bid to recover victims identified as missing,” reads the statement.
The latest increase comes as part of a steady rise in fatalities since the Mbuya Nehanda ferry capsized while en route from Kariba to Chalala. The vessel, which serves fishing communities along the lake, was reportedly overloaded with passengers, their catch and basic goods when it sank.
Following the disaster on Tuesday, 11 August, a joint search and recovery operation was launched involving the ZRP Sub-Aqua Unit, the Zimbabwe National Army and local fishermen.
The death toll has climbed sharply in recent days. By Saturday, 15 August, police confirmed that 23 bodies had been recovered earlier that day, raising the official figure to 69. Later that evening, three more bodies were pulled from the water, taking the toll to 72.
The recovery continued on Sunday. In an update issued at 2 pm on 16 August, the ZRP said eight more bodies had been found, pushing the number to 80.
The latest statement on Sunday afternoon confirmed that a further four bodies have since been recovered, bringing the total number of confirmed dead to 84.
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