THIS is the harrowing moment an overloaded ferry lies upside down after capsizing – killing 15 people and leaving 27 missing.
Shocking footage shows the grim aftermath of the disaster on Zimbabwe’s Lake Kariba.
An overloaded ferry capsized in Zimbabwe, killing 15 Credit: X
Dozens more are missing as authorities desperately search the area Credit: X
The overturned vessel can be seen floating in the vast lake as rescue teams race to find survivors.
Zimbabwe’s national management agency said 77 people had been rescued and made it to a small island in the lake.
Sign up for The Jattvibe newsletter
Thank you!
State broadcaster ZBC published footage of speedboats making their way towards the capsized ferry as a helicopter hovered overhead.
An underwater search-and-rescue operation is also underway in a desperate bid to recover those still missing.
DON DO IT
Trump says axing Infantino from Fifa a ‘terrible mistake’ as pressure mounts
DON A MISSION
Trump ‘smuggled off plane in catering cart’ amid Iran assassination fears
The dilapidated vessel was reportedly above capacity Credit: X
Zimbabwe’s Civil Protection Unit has recommended for it to be declared a disaster Credit: X
Zimbabwe’s Civil Protection Unit said it could only confirm from ticket sales that 114 adults were onboard, along with five crew members.
The true number of people on the ferry is believed to have been much higher.
The agency said there may also have been an unknown number of children below the ticketing age who were onboard but were not accounted for.
The ferry had a capacity of just 90 people, according to the agency, which recommended that the disaster be officially declared.
Mutsa Murombedzi, a local MP, posted a video she said showed people waving goodbye to the ageing ferry as it set off on its journey.
She said some people standing on the shore had expressed concern that the ferry would not withstand the strong waves on the lake.
Murombedzi said the vessel was used by rural communities to travel across the lake.
An investigation is now ongoing to determine the exact circumstances of the tragic incident.
This comes after a ferry carrying 116 passengers capsized off the coast of Guyana.
The MV Barima, bound for the port of Kaituma, issued a distress call at around 11pm local time as the vessel began to sink.
Guyanese Prime Minister Mark Phillips said 67 people, including 15 children, were rescued alive.
Another ferry was sent to the area to provide emergency medical treatment and care to survivors.
The MV Barima is understood to have departed Georgetown at around 3pm on Saturday.
The ageing vessel was built in 1939 and measures 40m (131ft) in length, according to a listing on VesselFinder.
