Overloaded Ferry Capsizes on Lake Kariba, Killing 15

An overloaded ferry capsized on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe on Tuesday, killing at least 15 people and leaving 27 others missing, according to the country's national disaster management agency. The vessel, which had a capacity of 90 people, was carrying 114 adult passengers and five crew members, with officials noting there may have been additional children below ticketing age on board.

The Zimbabwe Civil Protection Unit confirmed that 77 people were rescued and taken to Long Island, a small island within the lake on Zimbabwe's northern border. From there, survivors are being transported to the mainland on Civil Protection Unit vessels. An underwater search and rescue team has been deployed on the massive lake, which forms part of the border between Zimbabwe and neighboring Zambia.

The accident occurred as the ferry, identified in local reports as the "Mbuya Nehanda," was traveling from the rural area of Chalala to the town of Kariba. Member of Parliament Mutsa Murombedzi stated the journey typically takes about five hours. She posted video footage showing what she described as the aging ferry departing earlier in the day, with people on shore expressing concern about whether it...