By Simbarashe Sithole
Mvurwi Ward 4 councillor Thulani McuMillan Ndlovu has sent his condolences to the families of victims of the Kariba ferry disaster.
The tragedy occurred on Tuesday, August 11, when a Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) ferry capsized on Lake Kariba while travelling from Kariba to Chalala, near Long Island. The vessel was reportedly hit by strong waves.
Ndlovu expressed sympathy with the families who lost their loved ones in the disaster.
“We would like to send our deepest condolences to all those who lost their beloved ones from the RIDA ferry disaster,” Ndlovu said.
The latest police update says 44 people have died, with search and recovery operations continuing. Earlier reports had put the death toll at 15 before rescue teams recovered additional bodies, including 24 bodies found beneath the vessel.
Authorities said 77 people had been rescued, while the exact number of people who were on board remains subject to reconciliation because officials have given differing figures. The government has said the vessel was carrying 114 adult passengers and five crew members, while an unconfirmed number of children were also believed to have been aboard.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police Sub-Aqua Unit and Zimbabwe National Army Boat Squadron are among teams involved in the search and recovery operation.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared the Kariba ferry tragedy a State of Disaster under Section 27(1) of the Civil Protection Act [Chapter 10:06].
The declaration allows Government to mobilise extraordinary resources to support search, rescue, recovery and humanitarian efforts. Mnangagwa also directed authorities to provide medical, psychosocial and funeral assistance to affected families.
The President said the tragedy had exposed serious deficiencies in Zimbabwe’s maritime safety capabilities and directed relevant agencies to implement urgent remedial measures.
Search and recovery efforts are continuing as authorities work to account for all passengers and crew members