The death toll from a ferry disaster on Zimbabwe's Lake Kariba has risen to 93, making it the country's deadliest transport disaster, according to the state-run Herald newspaper. The ferry overturned a week ago after being hit by a strong wave.
The ferry had a capacity for 90 passengers, but the Herald estimates at least 168 people were on board. President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared a state of disaster following the accident, and search and recovery efforts are continuing by divers.
Police reported that the death toll rose from 44 at the time of the accident to 84 over the weekend. Nine more bodies have since been found by divers, bringing the total to 93. Provincial Affairs Minister Marian Chombo stated that 67 people were rescued after the sinking.
Identifying some of the recovered bodies is proving difficult, with relatives relying on clothes and other items. The police have identified 83 victims so far, 39 of whom were children. The ferry served as a vital transport link for rural communities, carrying parents taking children home for school holidays and traders.