37 killed in grisly Tanzania road crash
Reports indicate that the incident occurred on the Moshi-Tanga Highway when the driver of a bus lost control after one of its tires burst, resulting in a collision with an oncoming minibus in the process.
A total of 37 people were killed while 30 others sustained varying injuries following a road accident in Tanzania's Sabasaba area involving two vehicles that burst into flames after a head-on collision, President Samia Suluhu has confirmed.
Reports indicate that the incident occurred on Saturday evening on the Moshi-Tanga Highway when the driver of a bus lost control after one of its tires burst, resulting in a collision with an oncoming minibus in the process.
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The wreckages of both vehicles were cleared by authorities, with both vehicles towed from the scene.
The injured passengers were also rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased persons were transported to local morgues for storage and identification.
In a statement on X on Sunday, Suluhu expressed deep sorrow over the tragic accident, highlighting the influx of road accidents in Tanzania.
"I have received with great sadness the news of the deaths of 37 of our loved ones and the injury of 30 others in a road accident that occurred yesterday evening in the Sabasaba area, on the Moshi - Tanga Highway, Same District, Kilimanjaro Region, where two vehicles collided and caught fire," Samia's statement said.
"I pray that all the deceased rest in peace, and that all the injured recover swiftly. I extend my condolences to the Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner, Nurdin Babu, the families of the deceased, and to all relatives, friends, and loved ones. May God grant them comfort and strength during this difficult time."
Samia reiterated her call for better adherence to road safety measures, emphasising that road accidents continue to cause great losses in Tanzania.
"As I mentioned on June 27 in my speech concluding the activities of the 12th Parliament of the United Republic of Tanzania, road accidents continue to claim the lives of our loved ones," she said.
"I urge all drivers to continue observing road safety rules with great care, and I call on the Police Force to enforce these laws effectively."
According to official government statistics, more than 1,300 people lost their lives in road accidents in Tanzania in 2023.
However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) suggests that the true number of fatalities could be significantly higher, potentially reaching as many as 10,000.
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