People were gathering in Nyamhunga Stadium in Kariba

Zimbabwe Lake Boat Accident Death Toll Rises to 68

JOHANNESBURG — August 15, 2026

The death toll from a boat accident on Zimbabwe's Lake Kariba has risen to 68 after authorities recovered 22 additional bodies, police said on Saturday. The vessel capsized earlier this week during strong winds, in one of the country's deadliest recent water accidents.

The boat overturned on August 11 on Lake Kariba, a large reservoir on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. Rescue teams have continued searching the lake for people who remained missing after the accident.

Police said investigations indicated that the boat may have been overloaded when it capsized. Heavy winds were also reported at the time of the accident, adding to the difficult conditions on the water.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police announced the latest death toll on social media, confirming that 22 more bodies had been recovered. The updated figure brings the known number of people killed to 68.

The accident has prompted renewed attention to passenger safety on Lake Kariba, where boats and ferries are used to transport people and goods. Questions about the vessel's capacity and operating conditions are expected to form part of the investigation into what caused the accident.

A memorial service was held in Kariba on August 13 for victims of the disaster, with coffins placed at Nyamhunga Stadium as families and community members gathered to mourn those who died.

Search and recovery efforts have continued as authorities work to establish the full circumstances of the accident. The investigation will determine how many people were aboard the vessel and whether safety rules were breached before it entered the lake.

The rising death toll has increased the scale of the tragedy for communities around Lake Kariba, where families are still waiting for information about those who may remain missing.