Matebeleland Pulse Reporter
Thirteen people have died and 67 others have been rescued following a Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) boat accident on Lake Kariba on Tuesday afternoon, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed.
In a statement issued on today, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the bodies had been retrieved from the lake, while survivors were taken to Mahombe-kombe Primary School Command Centre for medical attention.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms that 13 bodies have been retrieved from Lake Kariba while 67 victims have been rescued and taken to Mahombe-kombe Primary School Command Centre for medical attention and further management,” Nyathi said.
The search for those still missing is continuing, while police work to establish the exact number of people who were aboard the vessel.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police is still verifying facts on the exact number of people who were in the boat,” Comm Nyathi said.
Police said the boat had a confirmed capacity of 90 passengers, excluding five crew members. However, information initially given to the lake captain indicated that 120 people were travelling from Kariba to Chalala, including 108 adults and 12 children.
Investigations have since suggested that the actual number of passengers may have been higher.
“However, police investigations indicate that the boat could have been carrying more people,” Nyathi said.
Police said further information would be released as relatives were contacted and the search operation progressed.
“In this regard more details will be availed as relatives are contacted while the search process continues,” Nyathi said.
