KAROI, Aug. 12 (NewsDay Live) — The Lake Kariba boat disaster has exposed critical gaps in mortuary capacity in Mashonaland West, with health facilities in Kariba and Karoi struggling to cope with the growing number of bodies recovered from the accident.
The issue emerged during an emergency meeting convened in Karoi on Wednesday by the Hurungwe District Development Coordinator’s office as authorities coordinated the district’s response to the disaster.
Hurungwe DDC Andrew Tizora said the meeting was intended to coordinate government departments and keep abreast of developments in Kariba, where provincial authorities were leading the rescue and recovery operation.
“We have called for this emergency meeting so that we stay abreast with what our counterparts are doing in Kariba where provincial leadership is on the ground. It’s a distressing situation and it’s a tragedy,” Tizora said.
“What we are informed is that the boat was overloaded. Figures are still being verified but we need to work closely with the Provincial Civil Protection Unit.”
Tizora said Hurungwe district had been asked to provide mortuary space because Kariba’s facility could accommodate only six bodies at a time.
“Some of the deceased will be accommodated here in Karoi,” he said, describing the situation as “dire” for body identification.
Hurungwe District Medical Officer Dr Munyaradzi Chidaushe confirmed that health authorities were coordinating with their counterparts in Kariba.
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“Karoi Hospital mortuary has an official capacity of carrying eight bodies. We must be prepared for such emergencies,” Chidaushe said.
He said some identified bodies were currently being held by funeral parlours as authorities worked to manage the increasing number of deceased.
“More people are still missing and it’s a huge disaster for us. This is a lesson on our mortuary capacity. We need to work on modalities of improvement on these challenges,” Chidaushe said.
Tizora said the district’s Disaster Risk Management Plan had been activated, with search and rescue teams deployed in Kariba.
The emergency meeting recommended that all government departments remain on high alert as the response to the disaster continues.
The Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) boat, Mbuya Nehanda, capsized on Monday while carrying 114 adults, five crew members and an undisclosed number of children, according to officials.
The vessel’s reported adult passenger load alone exceeded its legal capacity of 90.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police said the death toll had risen to 44 after divers recovered more bodies, while 77 survivors had so far been rescued.
Mashonaland West provincial director in the Ministry of Local Government Cecilia Chitiyo has recommended that the accident be declared a State of Disaster to unlock additional resources for rescue, recovery and support for affected families.
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