THE search for a fisherman, who went missing on Sunday after a devastating boat fire on Lake Kariba on Sunday, is continuing.
The incident occurred on a boat carrying six fishermen from Kariba to Chalala fishing camp in Kariba rural.
The boat caught fire around 9pm, just after passing Long Island, when the engine cut off and petrol spilled onto the hot exhaust, while the fishermen were attempting to refuel.
Three fishermen, Theophilus Katanaminina, Raymond Gunduza and Leonard Nyamurambi, survived the incident with severe burns and are admitted at Kariba District Hospital.
Their colleague Twajana Sibanda Mumpande is, however, still missing.
“I am still trying to process what happened. We were just trying to make a living and it turned into a nightmare. I am worried about Twajana and I hope he is found soon,” Gunduza said.
The Department of Inland Waters Control has issued a stern warning to fishermen on Lake Kariba, urging them to avoid travelling at night and to adhere to standard operating Systems (SOPs) of the lake.
“We urge the public to stick to regulated times and ensure their boats are seaworthy,” said Lake Captain Adan Nyekete.
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This incident is not an isolated one on Lake Kariba.
In July 2021, a boat capsized near Ndomo Fishing Camp, resulting in one confirmed death, three survivors and four people unaccounted for.
Another tragic incident occurred in September 2023, when a dinghy boat carrying five people sank near Tsetse Island, resulting in four fatalities.
