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At least 44 people have died after an overcrowded ferry capsized on Zimbabwe’s Lake Kariba.
The Zimbabwe police confirmed the update on Wednesday.
The Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) vessel sank in rough weather on Tuesday while carrying 114 adult passengers, five crew members and an unknown number of children.
The boat had a capacity of 90 people, according to Zimbabwe’s Civil Protection Unit (CPU).
The CPU initially reported that 77 people had been rescued and 15 bodies recovered before the death toll increased to 44.
“The ZRP informs the public that the death toll in the Kariba RIDA boat accident is now 44,” the Zimbabwe Republic Police said in a post on X.
The ferry normally carries passengers between the northern town of Kariba and islands and fishing villages around the lake.
Rescue teams, including divers, larger boats, army personnel and a helicopter from a nearby national park, have been involved in the search.
A specialised aquatic rescue team has also been flown to the area to assist with the operation.
The 77 people rescued were taken to Long Island, located in the middle of Lake Kariba.
Two funeral homes have been contracted to collect the recovered bodies as the search continues for people still missing.
Lake Kariba, which lies on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, is one of the world’s largest man-made lakes by volume.
The disaster is among the worst recorded passenger boat accidents on the lake.
