Pope Offers Prayers for Zimbabwe Ferry Disaster as Death Toll Passes 90
Pope Leo XIV sent prayers for victims and emergency crews as investigators examine whether overloading and rough waters caused the capsize.
- His Holiness Pope Leo XIV expressed condolences on Aug. 18 to families of victims of the Aug. 11 ferry accident on Lake Kariba, which has killed more than 90 people.
- The Rural Infrastructure Development Agency ferry capsized on Aug. 11 while carrying more than 150 passengers, exceeding its 90-person authorized capacity. Survivors reported the captain ignored pleas to turn back.
- Zimbabwe's national police confirmed the death toll reached 92 on Aug. 17 after rescuers recovered eight bodies. Authorities deployed boats and personnel to coordinate the "rescue of victims, search and recovery of bodies from Lake Kariba."
- Bishop Patrick Ngwenya of Chinhoyi expressed "deep sorrow" on Aug. 17, noting several victims were parishioners in his diocese. The Diocese is coordinating "pastoral support" for grieving families.
- Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared the incident a national tragedy on Aug. 12, acknowledging criticism of the aging ferry system. Officials stated the disaster exposed "serious deficiencies in our maritime capabilities" requiring immediate attention.
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27 Articles
(Johannesburg=Yonhap News) Correspondent Na Hak-jin = The death toll from the recent passenger ship capsizing accident on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe has risen to 94.
Zimbabwe ferry disaster toll rises to 94
The death toll from a ferry disaster in Zimbabwe last week rose to 94 on Tuesday, police said, with the recovery of two more bodies. The passenger ferry, a vital transport link for rural communities, capsized in bad weather and rough waters on August 11 on the vast Lake Kariba, which borders Zambia. The dead include 30 children under 10, one of them a month-old infant, according to police. Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe said on Tuesday t…
Catholic Review
Pope offers prayers for Zimbabwe ferry disaster as death toll passes 90
(OSV News) — Pope Leo XIV sent condolences to the families of the victims of a tragic ferry accident in Zimbabwe that has killed over 90 people. According to the Associated Press, the ferry was carrying more passengers than authorized, causing it to capsize Aug. 11 on Lake Kariba, situated on Zimbabwe’s northern border with Zambia. The Vatican published a telegram on Aug. 18, written on the pope’s behalf by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secre…
National Catholic Register
Pope Leo XIV Offers Condolences to Victims of Ferry Accident in Zimbabwe
The Pontiff offered prayers for the Zimbabwean people in a telegram on Aug. 18.
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