At least 15 die as boat sinks in Zimbabwe's Lake Kariba

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1. Version 2updated
   Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at 8:03 AM UTC

   Latest update from PBS NewsHour: A ferry capsizes on Zimbabwe's Lake Kariba, leaving at least 15 people dead and 27 missing. It said 77 people were rescued and made it to a small island on the lake, with boats now being dispatched to bring the survivors back. Lake Kariba, which sits on Zimbabwe's border with Zambia, is one of the world's largest man-made reservoirs At least 15 people have died after a boat carrying dozens of people sank on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe, with rescue operations continuing, officials have said. Police said 90 passengers and five crew were onboard the vessel when it capsized on Tuesday, but it may have been overloaded, with other reports pointing to a higher number based on the registered ticket sales. The vessel was hit by a strong wave and overturned, police added. Footage shared online appears to show the hull floating in the water. Lake Kariba, which straddles the border with Zambia, is one of the world's largest man-made reservoirs, supporting transport and fishing and providing vital hydroelectric power to both countries.

2. Version 3updated
   Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at 1:18 PM UTC

   Latest update from The Guardian World: At least 44 dead after overcrowded ferry capsizes on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe. Latest update from PBS NewsHour: A ferry capsizes on Zimbabwe's Lake Kariba, leaving at least 15 people dead and 27 missing. It said 77 people were rescued and made it to a small island on the lake, with boats now being dispatched to bring the survivors back. Lake Kariba, which sits on Zimbabwe's border with Zambia, is one of the world's largest man-made reservoirs At least 44 people have died after a ferry sank on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe on Tuesday, police have said. The ferry had a capacity to carry 90 passengers and five crew members but a lake official had reported that 120 people, including 12 children, were on it. The vessel was hit by a strong wave and overturned, police added. Footage shared online appears to show the overturned hull floating in the water. President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared a state of disaster, as search and rescue operations intensify.

3. Version 4unpublished
   Thursday, August 13, 2026 at 11:16 AM UTC

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