HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Authorities in Zimbabwe have intensified their search for additional bodies following the tragic capsizing of an overcrowded ferry on Lake Kariba last week, resulting in a rising death toll that now exceeds 80 individuals. The ferry disaster occurred amidst strong waves on Tuesday, prompting immediate rescue efforts.

As of Sunday, police confirmed that the death toll had escalated to 84, a rise from the previously reported figure of 72, as more bodies were recovered from the lake. Zimbabwe's disaster management agency has reported that 77 people were successfully rescued from the incident. The ferry, which was designed to accommodate a maximum of 90 passengers, was allegedly carrying as many as 153 individuals at the time of its capsizing, casting doubt on the actual number of people aboard during the disaster.

In their ongoing operations, police authorities stated, "search efforts are still underway in a bid to recover victims identified as missing." The aging ferry was en route from the town of Kariba, a hub for fishing and rural communities in the northwest of Zimbabwe, where transportation options are limited due to poor road conditions.

The tragic toll includes a significant number of children, with 18 minors confirmed dead — the youngest among them being just 1 year old. Reports indicate that 16 of the deceased were aged 10 years or younger, emphasizing the profound impact of this disaster on families and communities.

Lake Kariba, known as the world’s largest human-made lake by volume, was created through the damming of the Zambezi River in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The lake's expanse spans over 200 kilometers (124 miles) in length and reaches widths of up to 40 kilometers (25 miles) in certain areas. The lake serves as a shared resource between Zimbabwe and Zambia, with the international border running through its center.

The search operations are a critical component of the response to this sorrowful incident, as communities come to terms with the loss of life and the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. The authorities' efforts reflect a commitment to ensuring that all victims are accounted for, and families find closure in the wake of this disaster.