HARARE, Aug. 14 (NEWSDAY LIVE) — The Iranian Embassy in Zimbabwe has expressed condolences to the government and people of Zimbabwe following the Lake Kariba ferry disaster that has so far claimed 46 lives.
In a statement posted on X, the embassy said it was “deeply saddened” by the tragedy involving the Mbuya Nehanda ferry, which capsized on Lake Kariba on Tuesday.
“Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the government and people of Zimbabwe, particularly the families and loved ones who lost their lives in this devastating national disaster,” the embassy said.
“We stand with you during this difficult time.”
The tragedy has become one of Zimbabwe’s deadliest recent maritime disasters, with the death toll likely to rise as search teams recover bodies from the lake.
Official updates have put the number of survivors at 67, although other reports have said 77 people were rescued during the initial operation.
The discrepancies in the numbers have been linked to uncertainty over the exact number of people aboard the ferry, with authorities saying ticket records showed 114 adult passengers and five crew members, while children below the ticketing age may not have been captured in the records.
The ferry, which had a stated capacity of 90 passengers, was travelling from Kariba towards Chalala fishing areas when it capsized in rough conditions.
- ‘Binga not fully marketed’
- Increased poaching in Kariba threatens fish farming
- Kariba fishing tourney breaks with tradition
- Feature: Villagers brace for another displacement. This time, It’s for coal
Keep Reading
Survivors have described scenes of panic as water entered the vessel and passengers struggled to escape. Some said passengers had urged the captain to turn back as waves intensified before the ferry overturned.
The government has declared the tragedy a national disaster, while rescue teams continue searching the lake for bodies and any people who may still be unaccounted for.
The disaster has also raised fresh questions over maritime safety, the condition of the ageing ferry and the enforcement of passenger-carrying limits on Lake Kariba.
The Iranian Embassy joins a growing list of international figures and institutions expressing solidarity with Zimbabwe following the tragedy.
