The Government of Zimbabwe has launched formal inquest proceedings in the wake of the deadliest maritime accident to occur on record in the country.
The announcement came on Wednesday, August 19, as local authorities reported the recovery of the bodies of additional victims of the capsizing of the ferry Mbuya Nehanda in the northwestern province of Mashonaland West earlier this month.
Reports stated that the vessel overturned after being struck by a strong wave while underway on Lake Kariba between the towns of Kariba and Chalala on August 11.
The tragedy's death toll has now reached 95 while only 77 survivors have been recorded. Officials believe the vessel was carrying as many as 180 passengers on her ill-fated voyage on whereas she was permitted to carry no more than half that total number of people in addition to freight and five crewmembers.
The inquest seeks to determine whether the accident can also be attributed to negligence on the part of the ferry's captain.
According to an initial investigation, the captain had decided to proceed with the vessel's scheduled voyage on August 11 even after the Zimbabwe Meteorological Services Department issued a weather advisory warning of potentially unsafe sailing conditions.
Local media confirmed that the captain had also perished in the tragedy.
The inquest will also entail closer examinations of the wreckage and assessing whether the ferry and the operators had indeed complied with regulations.
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