HARARE, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from the boat capsize accident at Zimbabwe's Lake Kariba on Tuesday has risen to 72, local police said on Saturday night.
The boat, which was traveling from Kariba town to the Chalala Fishing Camp, was carrying 144 passengers, five crew members and an unconfirmed number of children when it capsized on Aug. 11. Authorities said 77 people have been rescued so far.
Some of the bodies recovered earlier during the week have been released for burial both within the Lake Kariba area and beyond, authorities said.
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday declared the accident a national disaster and directed relevant authorities to provide comprehensive assistance to the affected families, including medical, psychological and funeral support. ■
