A ferry that was rated to carry 90 people was carrying far more than that when it capsized on Lake Kariba, and the toll from the disaster has now reached 44. The vessel, operated by Zimbabwe's Rural Infrastructure Development Agency and known as the RIDA boat, went down near Long Island on Tuesday, August 11, amid strong waves [1]. According to Al Jazeera's account, it was carrying at least 114 adult passengers and five crew, plus an unspecified number of children, against a capacity of 90 [1].
The Zimbabwe Republic Police, cited by Al Jazeera, said the death toll in the Kariba RIDA boat accident is now 44, with 77 people rescued [1]. That figure supersedes the day-of count of 15 dead and 27 missing that circulated first; the earlier number should not be used. President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared a state of disaster, a step that unlocks additional resources for the search and recovery [1].
The numbers do not fully close, and it is worth saying why rather than smoothing it over. The 44 dead and 77 rescued add up to 121 people accounted for, which is more than the 119 adults and crew reported aboard. That is consistent with the children who were on the boat but were not counted in the adult tally, and it means the precise total aboard is not yet verified [1]. The overload is not in doubt. A boat built for 90 was carrying at least 119 people and children besides, and strong water did the rest.
