The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has released the names of three additional victims of the Kariba Rural Infrastructure Development Agency boat disaster, bringing the number of victims formally identified to 96.
In an update issued on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, police said the overall death toll remained at 97, with one victim still unidentified.
The newly identified victims are Wilson Parare Musaka, 74, of Nyamhunga 2 in Kariba; Nyarai Fununo, 44, of Kapandura Village under Chief Mola in Kariba; and Lynol Samanyanga, a seven-year-old boy from 2197 Batonga, Kariba.
“The death toll remains at 97, with one victim yet to be identified,” ZRP Chief Staff Officer for Press and Public Relations Commissioner Paul Nyathi said.
Police said the identities of the three victims had been confirmed by their next of kin. The latest announcement follows an earlier police statement issued on August 19 containing the names of other people who died in the accident.
The ZRP appealed to families with relatives who remain missing and might have been travelling aboard the boat to contact the police and assist with the outstanding identification.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police appeals to members of the public who have relatives still missing and may have been travelling aboard the boat to come forward and assist with the identification process,” Nyathi said.
The identification exercise forms part of the continuing response to the disaster as affected families seek confirmation and closure following one of Zimbabwe’s deadliest inland water-transport accidents.
Authorities are expected to continue working with relatives and relevant agencies to establish the identity of the remaining victim.