By Tichaona Katsvamutima
The death toll from the Kariba ferry disaster has risen to 80 after eight more bodies were recovered during continuing search and recovery operations on Lake Kariba.
The update was issued at 2pm on Sunday August 16 by the Zimbabwe Republic Police as specialist teams continued combing the lake for victims of the ferry disaster, which occurred on August 11 and has become one of Zimbabwe’s deadliest maritime tragedies.
The latest recoveries bring the confirmed number of fatalities from 72 reported late on Saturday to 80.
The ferry capsized on Lake Kariba while travelling from the resort town of Kariba towards remote fishing communities. Authorities have said the vessel encountered rough conditions, with strong waves contributing to the accident.
Earlier reports indicated that the ferry was carrying significantly more people than its authorised capacity.
The tragedy has triggered widespread concern over passenger safety on Lake Kariba, particularly the enforcement of vessel capacity limits and safety regulations.
This is a developing story…….
