At least 15 people died and 27 remained missing after a ferry capsized on Zimbabwe’s Lake Kariba on August 12, 2026, with rescue teams recovering 77 survivors, according to the Civil Protection Unit.
The ferry, which was carrying more than its 90-person capacity, overturned amid strong waves, leaving 15 bodies retrieved and 27 still unaccounted for. The Zimbabwe Civil Protection Unit (CPU) confirmed 114 adult passengers and five crew members were onboard, though the exact number of children remains unclear. Rescue operations involved helicopters, speedboats, and divers, with survivors taken to Long Island before being transported to the mainland.
Casualty Figures and Rescue Efforts
The Civil Protection Unit reported that 77 passengers were rescued, while 15 bodies had been recovered by Tuesday afternoon. The agency stated that ticket sales confirmed 114 adults and five crew members were aboard, though an unknown number of children may have been present. The ferry, named Mbuya Nehanda, was operating between Kariba and nearby islands, according to sources. Rescue efforts included an underwater search team, a helicopter from Matusadona National Park, and local boat operators, as described by witness Maxton Kanhema.
Zimbabwe’s state broadcaster ZBC aired footage of speedboats and a hovering helicopter approaching the overturned vessel. Survivors were initially taken to Long Island before being transferred to CPU vessels. The Zimbabwe Republic Police said the vessel had 90 people and five crew members aboard, though other reports suggested the number could have been as high as 114. Authorities cautioned that the final death toll and missing person count could still change.
Witness Accounts and Rescue Challenges
Witness Maxton Kanhema told AFP that the ferry departed in bad weather, with a wave likely causing the engines to fail. When we were in the waters, then you could see a distress sign and then boats that were close by responded,
he said. He described the scene as a sad situation to witness,
noting that those that could be rescued were rescued,
but added that due to the bad weather, the responses were a bit late.
Another account from Mutsa Murombedzi, a local member of Parliament, included a video showing passengers waving goodbye as the ferry left. Some onlookers expressed concerns about the vessel’s ability to withstand the lake’s conditions. People were in distress… There were bodies in the water,
Kanhema added, emphasizing the delayed response time. Rescue teams faced challenges due to poor weather.
Historical Context of Lake Kariba Accidents
Lake Kariba, the world’s largest man-made lake by volume, has seen multiple boat accidents in recent years. In July 2021, a boat capsized with eight people aboard, killing one. In September 2023, four people died after a small boat overturned near Tsetse Island. A March 2025 incident involved one fatality during a storm. These past tragedies highlight ongoing safety concerns on the lake, which stretches 200km long and 40km wide, forming part of the Zimbabwe-Zambia border.
The lake, created by damming the Zambezi River in the late 1950s and early 1960s, remains a critical transport route for rural communities. Officials have raised questions about the vessel’s overloading, with the agency stating the boat was carrying more than its capacity of 90 people when it capsized.
Calls for Accountability and Safety Measures
Survivors were taken to Long Island after being pulled from the water, and funeral service providers Nyaradzo and Doves were engaged. Provincial Director of Local Government Services Cecilia Chitiyo confirmed that the operation was continuing.
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