Kariba Ferry Disaster: Authorities Seek Family of Unclaimed Woman’s Body

By Southerton Business Times Reporter KARIBA — August 21, 2026

The Department of Civil Protection has appealed for public assistance to identify the unclaimed body of a woman believed to be in her early 20s, recovered following the deadly Lake Kariba ferry accident. The body was initially claimed by a family but was later returned after relatives determined that the deceased was not their missing family member.

Local Government Services director for Mashonaland West, Cecilia Chitiyo, confirmed the development.

“However, the family later said the body was not that of their relative and returned it, meaning that we now have one unclaimed body,” Chitiyo said.

Authorities said the woman was wearing a grey hoodie branded “New York Police Department”, a black denim skirt, black shoes and black skin-tight leggings when her body was recovered.

Families with relatives who remain missing following the Lake Kariba ferry disaster and who may match the description have been urged to visit Kariba Hospital mortuary to assist with identification. The appeal comes as rescue and recovery teams continue working to locate people still missing after the tragedy. Divers are reportedly searching the waters around the accident site near Long Island and King’s Camp, while rescue teams are working to overturn the vessel at Musambakaruma Island.

The ongoing operation is focused on both recovering bodies and establishing the identities of victims so that they can be reunited with their families. The ferry capsized on August 11 while crossing Lake Kariba, resulting in at least 95 deaths, while 77 people survived the disaster. The accident has been described as the deadliest maritime and public transport disaster in Zimbabwe’s modern history, leaving families across the country waiting for information about missing relatives. The identification of recovered bodies remains one of the most pressing challenges facing authorities as the search operation continues.

Authorities have therefore urged families who have not yet accounted for relatives who were travelling on the vessel to remain in contact with officials and check available identification channels. The discovery of an unclaimed body also highlights the difficulties faced by recovery teams following a disaster involving a large number of victims, particularly where bodies cannot immediately be identified.

For families awaiting news, the identification process is critical not only to establish the final number of victims but also to allow relatives to begin funeral and burial arrangements. As divers and rescue teams continue their work around the accident site, authorities are expected to provide further updates on recovered victims and the ongoing search for those still missing. Anyone who believes the unclaimed woman may be their missing relative has been urged to proceed to Kariba Hospital mortuary to assist authorities with the identification process.

Kariba ferry disaster