AT LEAST 37 DEAD AFTER FERRY CAPSIZES ON ZIMBABWE'S LAKE KARIBA

A ferry capsized on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe on Tuesday after hitting strong waves, killing at least 37 people according to official reports, with 27 remaining missing. The vessel was carrying more than its capacity of 90 people when it overturned, Zimbabwe's Civil Protection Unit stated. At least 77 people were rescued from the water, the agency said.

The ferry operates between the northern town of Kariba and several islands and fishing camps. The Civil Protection Unit confirmed 114 adult passengers and five crew members through registered ticket sales, though it noted an unknown number of children below ticketing age may have been aboard and were not accounted for. Witness Maxton Kanhema told news agencies that the boat departed in bad weather and that a wave may have caused the vessel's engines to switch off, triggering a distress signal.

Rescue operations involved speedboats, a helicopter from Matusadona National Park, divers and personnel from the local area and army. Kanhema said the response was hampered by bad weather conditions and that reaching the overturned boat took considerable time. Lake Kariba lies on Zimbabwe's border with Zambia, more than 300 kilometres northeast of the capital Harare. Zimbabwe's national police service said rescue efforts were continuing.