Harare- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared Monday’s Lake Kariba boat accident a National Disaster, as the death toll rose to 44 and search teams continued scouring the waters for additional victims.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the President expressed profound sorrow over what he called “the tragic boat accident” that claimed the lives of 44 compatriots.

“On behalf of the Government and the nation, I extend our deepest condolences to the grieving families,” President Mnangagwa said. “To ensure immediate relief, I have declared this mishap a National Disaster.”

The declaration, made under the Civil Protection Act, enables the government to mobilise extraordinary resources for the ongoing humanitarian response. Relevant authorities are already on the ground providing full medical, funeral, and psychosocial support to victims and survivors, according to the President.

Mnangagwa further ordered maritime safety agencies and security forces to immediately overhaul and fix deficiencies in the country’s maritime capabilities.

“We must ensure our waters are safe,” he said, while thanking “the swift responders who saved lives” and asking the nation to join him in prayer for the souls of the departed.

Specialist divers from the Zimbabwe Republic Police Sub-Aqua Unit and the Zimbabwe National Army Boat Squadron are leading recovery operations, now in their second day. A privately owned helicopter from the Matusadona Conservation Trust has been supporting aerial search efforts.

The vessel, a Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) ferry named Mbuya Nehanda, capsized Monday afternoon near Long Island after reportedly being struck by strong waves while travelling from Kariba to Chalala. The boat had a stated capacity of 90 passengers but was carrying at least 114 paying adults, five crew members, and an undisclosed number of children below ticketing age.

According to the Department of Civil Protection, 77 survivors were rescued and taken to Mahombekombe Primary School, which serves as the command centre for medical treatment and emergency management. The death toll rose sharply after underwater teams recovered 24 additional bodies trapped beneath the capsized vessel. Two funeral parlours have been engaged to collect and process remains.

Authorities are still working to establish the exact number of people aboard, as initial information given to the lake captain indicated 120 passengers, though officials believe the actual figure may have been higher.

“May they rest in eternal peace,” Mnangagwa said of the departed.