Ferry Capsizes After Being Hit by Waves, 94 People Dead

A ferry owned by the Zimbabwean government capsized on Lake Kariba last weekend. The ill-fated vessel was carrying around 180 passengers. The number is double the capacity previously stated by police. In an update on Tuesday (18/8/2026) local time, the death toll from the accident was confirmed at 94 people. The government-owned newspaper, The Herald, described the incident as the deadliest transport disaster in Zimbabwe’s history. The death toll even surpassed a 1991 bus accident that killed 89 people. The ferry was travelling from the town of Kariba in northern Zimbabwe to a remote rural community around Lake Kariba. The vessel reportedly capsized after being hit by strong waves. It was reported that 77 people were rescued from the ferry. However, as of the time of reporting, search and evacuation operations were still ongoing.