KARIBA, Aug. 11 (NewsDay Live)h: Fears are mounting that many children may have died when the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (formerly DDF) Mbuyanehanda Ferry capsized near Long Island in Kariba this afternoon.
A NewsDay witness said at least 15 people have now been confirmed dead, while 74 others have been rescued, according to information from the rescue operation.
A witness involved in the rescue efforts, however, said the number of people who were on board could have been significantly higher than the 90 paid passengers initially reported.
“There were 90 paid passengers, but anybody over 16 doesn't pay, so [we] assumed 154 on board. Sixty-three on Long Island [were] saved, 12 were picked up by a houseboat, which is on the way back to Kariba, seven bodies and about 79 people missing. Yeah, very tragic, not looking great at all,” the witness said.
The figures could not immediately be independently verified, and they differ from earlier information released by police, which said the ferry was carrying 90 people and five crew members.
Rescue teams were continuing to search under the overturned vessel for more bodies, while the number of people still missing remained unclear.
Sources said about 40 children of different ages were believed to have been on board and some were yet to be accounted for.
The sources said children under four years were not required to have tickets, potentially making it difficult for authorities to establish the exact number of people who were on board.
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The conflicting figures have raised concerns that the ferry may have been carrying more than 100 people, potentially indicating overloading.
The ferry was reportedly carrying passengers and goods from Kariba to Chalala Fishing Camp when it capsized.
Local radio presenter Given Siakanoka, who said he had relatives on board, described the incident as devastating.
“I am yet to know whether my relatives have survived,” he said.
Police, army and other local authorities were continuing search and rescue operations around Long Island.
The circumstances surrounding the capsizing were not immediately clear.
This is a developing story. More details to follow.
