At least 44 people have died after an overloaded passenger ferry capsized on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe during heavy winds, according to police. The death toll rose sharply after rescuers recovered additional bodies from the lake.
The ferry was designed to carry about 90 passengers, but police said more than 120 people may have been aboard when the vessel overturned. At least 67 survivors have been rescued and taken to a nearby primary school for medical attention.
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Initial reports put the death toll at 15, but continued search-and-rescue operations led to the recovery of more bodies. Rescue teams, local boat operators and underwater specialists have been involved in the operation.
Police investigations indicate that overcrowding and heavy winds were factors in the accident. Lake Kariba, which borders Zimbabwe and Zambia, is a major transport and fishing area and is known for difficult conditions during periods of strong winds and large waves.
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Survivors have reportedly described passengers raising concerns about the worsening conditions before the ferry capsized. The incident has renewed scrutiny of passenger safety and enforcement of vessel-capacity rules on the lake.
The tragedy is now among the deadliest recent ferry disasters in the region, with authorities continuing efforts to account for those who may still be missing and determine the full circumstances surrounding the capsizing.
