KARIBA, Aug. 11 (NewsDay Live) — At least 15 bodies have been recovered and dozens of people remain missing after the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) Mbuyanehanda Ferry capsized in Lake Kariba on Tuesday afternoon, with families gathering at Andorra Harbour as rescuers searched for survivors.
The bodies were brought to Andorra Harbour on Tuesday evening as police, army divers, the Civil Protection Unit and other rescue teams continued searching the waters around the wreck near Long Island.
Cecilia Chitiyo, provincial director in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, said the ferry was carrying 114 adults, five crew members and an unknown number of children when it capsized.
“Fifteen bodies have also been retrieved and Nyaradzo and Doves Funeral Parlours have been engaged to collect these bodies for processing,” Chitiyo said.
Authorities said scores of people had been rescued, although figures were still changing as the operation continued.
The exact number of people aboard the ferry remained unclear also, raising fears that the number of missing could be higher than initially reported.
Keep Reading
- Title rivals face tough weekend
- Interactive feedback : In pursuit of a non-binary narrative
- DeMbare, FC Platinum fight for Chibuku Cup
- ZVDT laments lack of development in Zambezi Valley
Earlier, police said the ferry was carrying 90 passengers and five crew members.
However, a witness involved in the rescue operation said the actual number could have been significantly higher because some passengers, including children and older people, did not require tickets.
“There were 90 paid passengers, but anybody over 60 doesn’t pay, so [we] assumed 154 on board,” the witness said.
The witness said 63 people were rescued on Long Island, while another 12 were picked up by a houseboat returning to Kariba. The witness also reported that 79 people missing, although those figures could not independently be verified.
Other survivors said as many as 164 people, including children, may have been aboard.
The uncertainty has been compounded by reports that children under four were not required to have tickets, making it difficult for authorities to establish a definitive passenger manifest.
The ferry, which was carrying passengers and goods from Kariba to Chalala Fishing Camp, capsized near Long Island amid high waves.
Local radio presenter Given Siakanoka, who said he had relatives aboard the vessel, said he was still waiting for news.
“I am yet to know whether my relatives have survived,” he said.
At Andorra Harbour, relatives gathered in distress as officials worked to identify the recovered bodies and provide information on those rescued and still missing.
The Local Government ministry has recommended that the accident be declared a State of Disaster.
The Kapenta Workers Union of Zimbabwe (KWUZ) separately warned boat operators to inspect their vessels before going onto the lake, saying strong winds this season were increasing the risk of boats being overturned.
The disaster has renewed concerns over passenger safety, vessel inspections, accurate passenger manifests and enforcement of carrying limits on Lake Kariba.
Rescue operations were continuing into the evening, with authorities yet to establish the final number of people who were aboard the ferry.