By Suleman Chitera

At least 15 people have died and 27 others remain missing after a passenger ferry capsized on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe on Tuesday, 11 August 2026, triggering a major search and rescue operation.

The tragedy occurred after the ferry, locally known as Mbuya Nehanda, overturned in rough waters while carrying more passengers than its approved capacity, according to Zimbabwean authorities.

The Zimbabwe Civil Protection Unit said the vessel was licensed to carry 90 passengers but had significantly exceeded that limit when the accident occurred.

Officials said 114 adults and five crew members were recorded as being on board. Authorities have warned, however, that the actual number of passengers could be higher because some children may have been travelling without tickets.

Rescue teams have so far recovered 77 survivors, while the search for those still missing continues.

Search Operation Intensifies

The rescue operation has brought together multiple agencies as authorities race against time to locate passengers who may still be trapped inside the overturned vessel or stranded in the surrounding waters.

Speedboats and divers have been deployed to search the lake, while a helicopter provided by Matusadona National Park is supporting the operation from the air.

Zimbabwe’s national police service has also deployed an underwater rescue team to assist divers and other emergency personnel.

The operation is being complicated by the difficult conditions on Lake Kariba, with authorities having to search a vast body of water while dealing with rough weather and limited visibility beneath the surface.

Families of those on board are anxiously awaiting information as rescue personnel continue searching for survivors and recovering bodies.

Ferry Reportedly Sailed Despite Bad Weather

Initial accounts from witnesses suggest that the ferry departed despite unfavourable weather conditions.

Witnesses said strong waves struck the vessel during the journey, with the rough conditions reportedly affecting its engines before the ferry eventually overturned.

Investigators are expected to establish whether the weather, overloading, mechanical problems or a combination of factors contributed to the disaster.

The reported passenger numbers have already raised concerns over compliance with safety regulations, as the vessel was carrying considerably more people than its approved capacity.

Authorities have not yet announced the full circumstances surrounding the alleged overloading or whether any officials or operators could face investigation.

One of Africa’s Major Inland Lakes

Lake Kariba is one of Africa’s largest inland water bodies and lies along the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia.

The lake was created following the construction of the Kariba Dam on the Zambezi River and has become an important economic and transport route for communities living around its shores and on islands within the lake.

Passenger boats and ferries provide an essential means of transport for people travelling between isolated communities, islands and fishing camps.

The lake also supports fishing, tourism and other economic activities, making it an important source of livelihoods for communities on both sides of the Zimbabwe-Zambia border.

The disaster has nevertheless highlighted the risks faced by people who depend on water transport, particularly when vessels operate in difficult weather conditions or beyond their approved passenger capacity.

Authorities Face Questions Over Safety

As the rescue operation continues, attention is likely to turn to the ferry’s passenger capacity, operating procedures, weather warnings and mechanical condition.

The circumstances surrounding the decision to sail despite reportedly deteriorating weather conditions are also expected to form part of the investigation.

For now, emergency teams remain focused on finding the missing passengers.

With 15 confirmed deaths, 77 survivors and 27 people still missing, the final toll could rise as search teams continue their work.

Authorities have urged the public to rely on official information as the operation continues and as families wait for confirmation about the fate of their relatives.

The Lake Kariba disaster is now one of the most serious recent maritime tragedies in the region, raising renewed questions about passenger safety, enforcement of capacity limits and emergency preparedness on one of Southern Africa’s most important inland waterways.

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