…114 passengers were on board
…Boat carries 90 passengers
…77 passengers have been rescued
…15 bodies have also been retrieved
…27 people unaccounted for
The Mashonaland West Province Civil Protection Unit has confirmed that the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) boat that capsized on Lake Kariba was carrying 114 adult passengers on board.
According to an official statement by CPU Mashonaland West Provincial Administrator Cecilia Chitiyo, the passengers on board confirmed through tickets from the accounts were 114,5 crew members, and undisclosed children below ticketing age.
“The boat has a carrying capacity of 90.
“So far, 77 passengers have been rescued by Matusadonha rescue teams and others. The rescued passengers are on Long Island in the lake.
“The CPU has mobilised boats to bring them on land, and this is currently happening.
“15 bodies have also been retrieved, and two funeral parlours have been engaged to collect these bodies for processing.
“The above figures leave about 27 people unaccounted for.
“The sub aqua unit has been airlifted to conduct search and rescue operations on the scene of the accident.
“This is the report to date, but you will be continuously updated as the search and rescue unfolds
“This office recommends that this accident be declared a state of disaster,” she said.
 boat that capsized on Lake Kariba was){kind=link}