Nehanda ferry death toll rises to 72

The death toll from the Mbuya Nehanda ferry disaster on Lake Kariba has risen to 72 after three more bodies were recovered late on Saturday, police have confirmed.

The latest update, issued by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) at 8pm on Saturday, said the additional recoveries brought the total number of bodies retrieved from the disaster to 72.

"The ZRP advises Zimbabweans and relevant stakeholders that the death toll in the Kariba RIDA boat accident is now 72 following the recovery of three more bodies late on 15/08/2026," police said.

Police said the identification of bodies recovered during the day was still underway.

The death toll had earlier risen to 68 after 22 bodies were recovered during Saturday's search operations.

Witnesses travelling from Tiger Bay reportedly saw several bodies floating between Musambakaruma Island and the 115 Area before they were retrieved from the water. Some of the bodies were reportedly identified by relatives at the scene.

Two bodies recovered during the morning were taken to Kariba Hospital mortuary.

The latest recoveries come as search and rescue teams continue efforts to locate people still missing following the sinking of the Mbuya Nehanda ferry on Tuesday.

The disaster has triggered one of the largest search and recovery operations undertaken on Lake Kariba in recent years.

Police officers, army personnel and community volunteers have been involved in the operation, with teams searching areas around Long Island and Musambakaruma despite challenging weather and water conditions.

The Mbuya Nehanda ferry, operated by the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA), sank on Tuesday, leaving scores of passengers dead and others unaccounted for.

Authorities are expected to release further updates as search operations continue and the identification of recovered bodies progresses.