Survivors tell of horror of Zimbabwe ferry sinking as death toll hits 46

A man who survived a ferry disaster that claimed at least 46 lives on Zimbabwe's Lake Kariba told AFP Thursday how he watched helplessly as people tried to save themselves, with his best friend and seven of his relatives among the dead.

The overloaded government ferry -- a vital link for villagers and fish traders around the vast lake -- overturned in choppy waters on Tuesday in one of the country's worst passenger boat disasters.

"Thank God that a wave pushed the sinking vessel and we managed to climb on top," Chance Siyamavhu said at a memorial service in the lakeside town of Kariba close to the border with Zambia.

Perched on the upended boat, he watched as passengers struggled to survive, unable to save them.

"When the boat capsized, most of the people scrambled to get the life jackets but most of them did not even know how to use them," the 45-year-old told AFP. "Most people could not make it."

"Our relatives were swept in another direction and they sank because we were not in a position to help them," he said.

Dozens gathered for a memorial service in the lakeside town of Kariba. By Jekesai NJIKIZANA (AFP)

Dozens of mourners gathered in front of 44 coffins at the emotional service, as police announced that the death toll had risen to 46.

"The names of the victims who perished in the accident will be released in due course," a police statement said.

Officials say the boat was authorised to carry 90 people but was packed with 114 adults, five crew members and an unspecified number of children.

The civil protection unit said 77 people were rescued, and there were fears that other passengers may be unaccounted for.

Survivors said they had pleaded for the captain to turn back as the boat took on water.

Anymore Chambati, who had been a security official on the vessel, told AFP he had tried to hand out life jackets as the boat began to sink.

"I managed to only give not more than 10," he said. "The ferry engines were filled with water because of the heavy winds and eventually they failed, save for one."

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