Online Reporter
Walter Nyamukondiwa
Mashonaland West Bureau Chief
A houseboat with eight tourists headed for Msambakaruma Island capsized on Monday afternoon following a heavy storm.
The boat was hit by a strong wave that caused water to fill the engine compartment, just about a kilometre from Andorra Harbour, resulting in it stalling near Mica Point in Kariba Town.
It started foundering from the back, forcing the eight tourists believed to be from South Africa to evacuate from the front.
The tourists managed to make it to safety on the shoreline.
Lake Captain, Mr Adan Nyekete, confirmed the incident, adding that the occupants of the boat sustained minor abrasions, with only one getting a sprained muscle.
“The incident occurred this afternoon (Monday) when a houseboat was hit by a storm, forcing the captain to turn back after realising it was dangerous to proceed with their planned voyage,” said Mr Nyekete.
“The engine was submerged in water, causing it to lose thrust before it started decking from the back.”
The boat, with a pontoon design, started drifting towards the shoreline owing to the strong southerly winds coming from the Matusadona area.
It sank in the shallow waters with part of the back submerged in water.
