At least 15 people have died and 27 others remain missing after an overcrowded ferry capsized on Zimbabwe's Lake Kariba, authorities said on Wednesday.
The ferry overturned on Tuesday after encountering strong waves while travelling between the northern town of Kariba and several islands and fishing camps on the lake.
According to Zimbabwe's Civil Protection Unit (CPU), the vessel was carrying 114 adult passengers, five crew members and several children despite having a capacity of just 90 people.
Rescue teams have so far managed to save 77 passengers, while 15 bodies have been recovered from the water.
The CPU said two funeral parlours have been engaged to retrieve and process the bodies as rescue operations continue.
“About 27 people remain unaccounted for,” the authorities said.
A specialised aquatic rescue unit has been airlifted to the area to strengthen the search for those still missing.
The ferry is a key transport link for communities travelling between Kariba and the islands and fishing camps located across the lake.
Lake Kariba lies along the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, more than 300 kilometres northeast of the Zimbabwean capital, Harare.
The vast water body is recognised as the world's largest man-made lake by volume.
Authorities are continuing the search and rescue operation as efforts intensify to locate those who remain missing.