Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday expressed his condolences following the deaths of 44 people in a boat accident on Lake Kariba.

The tragedy has exposed serious deficiencies in the country's maritime capabilities, requiring urgent measures to address them so that recreational places do not become death traps, Mnangagwa said.

He hailed the prompt response by security forces and private citizens following the deadly incident, saying many more lives would have been lost without their swift response.

"Accordingly, I direct all agencies associated with our maritime safety, including, especially specialized units within our security forces, to take an active interest in ensuring remedial interventions in this area," Mnangagwa said.

After declaring the boat capsize a national disaster, Mnangagwa further directed relevant authorities to provide all necessary assistance to the affected families, including medical, psychological and funeral support.

He said the government is doing its utmost to ensure that all missing people are accounted for, following the rescue of 77 people from the boat, which was carrying 114 passengers, five crew members and an unconfirmed number of children.