Kariba ferry death toll hits 84

The death toll from the Lake Kariba ferry disaster climbed to 84 on August 16 after police recovered eight more bodies. The Mbuya Nehanda ferry, operated by the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA), capsized on August 11. The initial death toll stood at 46, then rose to 68 and 80 before reaching 84. President Mnangagwa declared a state of disaster and admitted maritime safety failures, but families accuse authorities of neglect. Search operations continue, but the number of passengers appears higher than the official 153, with at least 161 people now accounted for. Lawyers demand an independent investigation into the worst maritime disaster in Zimbabwe's history.