KARIBA, Aug. 15 (NewsDay Live) — The death toll from the Mbuya Nehanda ferry disaster has risen to 72 after the recovery of three more bodies late Saturday, the police said.
The latest update, issued at 8 p.m. Saturday, brings the number of bodies recovered from the Lake Kariba disaster to 72.
“The ZRP advises Zimbabweans and relevant stakeholders that the death toll in the Kariba RIDA boat accident is now 72 following the recovery of three more bodies late on 15/08/2026,” police said.
Police said identification of the bodies recovered during the day was still in progress.
The death toll had earlier risen to 68 after 22 bodies were recovered on Saturday.
Witnesses travelling from Tiger Bay said several bodies were seen floating between Musambakaruma Island and the 115 Area before being retrieved from the water. Some were reportedly identified by relatives at the scene.
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The two bodies recovered in the morning were taken to Kariba Hospital mortuary.
The latest recoveries come as authorities continue searching for people still missing after the ferry sank on Tuesday, triggering one of the biggest search and recovery operations on Lake Kariba in recent years.
Search teams comprising police, army personnel and community volunteers continued operations around Long Island and Musambakaruma despite difficult weather and water conditions.
The Mbuya Nehanda ferry, operated by the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA), sank on Tuesday, leaving scores of people dead and others missing.
Authorities are expected to provide further updates as the recovery and identification process continues.