Zimbabwe: the death toll from a ferry sinking on Lake Kariba has risen to at least 80, an investigation has been launched.

Rescue teams recovered four additional bodies on Sunday, August 16, five days after the accident that occurred on Tuesday. With 77 survivors recorded, the exact number of people on board remains to be established with certainty, as the available figures are not entirely consistent.

The ferry was operated and owned by the Government Rural Development Agency, a public body. The vessel was considered one of the most reliable in the fleet operating on the lake, located on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia.

The Zimbabwean Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Felix Mhona, visited the site on Sunday. He inspected the wreck and met with ferry operators, while searches continued along the shores of the lake to locate any potential survivors or other victims.

An investigation opened into the circumstances of the sinking

Zimbabwean authorities have announced the opening of an investigation to determine the exact causes of the accident. Initial findings suggest that the investigation is leaning towards an overloading of the ferry, which had a regulatory capacity of 90 people while an estimated 161 passengers were on board.

The count of embarked individuals is itself a point of concern. It must be verified from the operator’s records and testimonies collected from survivors and families.

Survivors have also questioned the captain’s decision, who died in the sinking, to continue the crossing despite difficult weather conditions. This version will need to be established by the investigation.

Ferry operators have, for their part, requested an enhancement of crew training, particularly on the use of rescue equipment on board. Authorities have described the disaster as the deadliest in the history of Zimbabwe’s river transport. The presence of many children among the victims further weighs on the human toll.