The United States Embassy in Harare has mourned the death of an American tourist who fell into the Victoria Falls gorge, as Zimbabwean and Zambian authorities confirmed the body has been recovered.
“We are aware of the tragic incident at Victoria Falls.
“While we are unable to offer details, our sympathies are with the family and friends of the victim,” the embassy said, thanking local authorities for their assistance.
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A joint team of Zimbabwean and Zambian police recovered the body on Wednesday after it was spotted lodged between rocks in the gorge late Tuesday.
The tourist, whose identity has not been made public, was reported missing after failing to return to his lodge.
Staff raised the alarm when he did not come back after crossing the Victoria Falls Bridge into Zambia.
Search efforts were immediately launched, but shifted to a recovery operation once the body was sighted about 108 metres below the falls.
Police divers, secured with ropes, descended into the gorge and retrieved the body after several hours.
Zambian police later confirmed the deceased was the missing American tourist.
Investigations are ongoing to establish how the tourist fell into the gorge.
