The death toll from the capsize of a ferry on Zimbabwe’s Lake Kariba has risen to 84.
This was after police discovered 12 bodies on Sunday.
The overloaded ferry capsized on Tuesday after being hit by a large wave. Police say the vessel had a capacity of 90 passengers but was carrying more than 119 adults with an unspecified number of children.
Police gave no details of the new victims but most of the passengers on the vessel were villagers and fish traders who lived around the lake, many from the Chalala fishing camp.
Survivors described scenes of panic as the overloaded ferry capsized in rough waters. Chance Siyamavhu said passengers scrambled for life jackets, but many did not know how to use them.
He survived after a wave pushed the overturned vessel, allowing him and others to climb onto its hull. But he said many passengers were swept away before they could be rescued.
Another survivor, Norah Chadenga, said she continues to struggle with the loss of her sister-in-law, whom she had encouraged to join the fish-trading business.
Authorities say they search efforts are still underway to recover “victims identified as missing.”
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister, Felix Mhona has assured the nation that the government will investigate the incident to examine issues surrounding maritime safety, compliance with regulations and other factors that may have contributed to the accident.
