By Staff Reporter

KARIBA, Zimbabwe — Several people are feared dead after a ferry carrying 95 people capsized on Lake Kariba on Tuesday, according to police and eyewitnesses.

The vessel, which was carrying 90 passengers and five crew members, overturned after encountering strong waves while travelling between Kariba and several islands and fishing camps.

Witness Maxton Kanhema said the boat had left normally in the morning despite bad weather, before a large wave apparently caused its engines to shut down.

A distress signal was later raised, prompting nearby boats to respond. Rescue teams, including divers, larger boats, the army and a helicopter from Matusadona National Park, were deployed to the scene.

“There were bodies in the water and it was a sad situation to witness,” Kanhema said, adding that difficult weather conditions delayed the rescue response.

He said nearly 60 people were believed to have been rescued, while the bodies of those who died were expected to be taken to Kariba for identification.

Police said further details would be released as the rescue and recovery operation continued.

Lake Kariba, which lies along the Zimbabwe-Zambia border, is one of the world’s largest artificial lakes by volume and is an important transport route for communities living around its shores and islands.