Fifteen people were killed while 27 more have been reported as missing after a ferry capsized in northwestern Zimbabwe near the border with Zambia on Tuesday, August 11.
The incident occurred when the vessel identified as Mbuya Nehanda overturned while transiting Lake Kariba between the towns of Kariba and Chalala in Mashonaland West province.
Emergency response personnel have since pulled 77 survivors and the bodies of 15 deceased individuals out of the lake.
Rescue and recovery operations, including inspections of the compartments of the partially submerged vessel, are still ongoing despite being hampered by rough waters.
Local authorities said the ferry was authorised to carry no more than 90 passengers and five crewmembers. However, initial reports stated that the vessel may have been transporting as many as 114 adult passengers and a still undetermined number of small children when the tragedy occurred.
Civil defence officials said that some small children were probably not included in the final tally as they were below the minimum age limit for passengers required to have tickets.
Mutsa Murombedzi, a Member of the Zimbabwe Parliament, posted a video alleged to be that of the ferry as it was departing the town of Kariba on Tuesday. The vessel shown in the footage appeared to be loaded with people and was listing slightly to starboard as it was backing away from a jetty.
Officials have not yet provided details on the probable causes of the capsizing.
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