Mbuya Nehanda Ferry Crew Member Says 153 Were On Board As Survivors Claim Pleas To Turn Back Were Ignored

Conflicting figures and harrowing survivor accounts have emerged following the capsizing of the RIDA Mbuya Nehanda ferry on Lake Kariba on Tuesday afternoon, as search teams continue to recover bodies from the water.

Speaking to ZBC News, RIDA Security Officer Anymore Chambati, one of five crew members who were aboard the vessel, said 153 people, including infants, were on board when it capsized. He said only two crew members survived.

His account differs sharply from official figures released earlier. Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said 67 survivors had been rescued and taken to the Mahombe-kombe Primary School Command Centre for medical attention, while 13 bodies had been retrieved from the lake.

Later, Minister of Local Government and Public Works Daniel Garwe said 15 people had been confirmed dead, with 27 others still missing.

On Wednesday afternoon, ZBC News reported that search and rescue operations were continuing at the site, with divers recovering bodies.

According to the broadcaster, the bodies of 14 adults and 10 children had been recovered, with a Zimbabwe National Army sub-aqua team having joined the operation.

Survivors have described a distressing sequence of events after the ferry left the harbour.

One survivor told ZBC that luggage began falling overboard shortly after departure. The vessel then began swaying before it was reduced to operating on one engine.

Another survivor said passengers noticed water seeping into the ferry about 30 minutes after leaving the harbour.

The passengers reportedly asked the captain to turn back, but their pleas went unanswered before the vessel capsized.

Related:

How did a “50 PAX” ferry end up carrying 174 people to their deaths? How Many People Were On Board The Mbuya Nehanda Boat When It Capsized?