A devastating collision between two buses on Saturday evening, June 28, in Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro region left at least 40 people dead and 30 others injured when both vehicles burst into flames following the crash. The accident occurred in the Sabasaba area along the Moshi-Tanga Highway, marking another deadly incident on the country’s hazardous roads.
The collision happened when the driver of one bus lost control after a tire burst, causing the vehicle to collide head-on with an oncoming minibus. Both vehicles immediately erupted into flames, trapping passengers inside and making rescue efforts extremely difficult. The intensity of the fire left bodies unidentified due to severe burns.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene along with local residents who assisted in rescuing survivors from the burning wreckage. The 30 injured passengers were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment, with six remaining hospitalized as of Sunday. The severity of injuries varied, with some victims suffering from critical burns and trauma.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan expressed deep condolences to the families affected by the crash in a statement released Sunday. Hassan indicated that such tragedies continue to take a toll on Tanzanian families and called for stricter adherence to road safety measures. The president extended her sympathies to Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner Nurdin Babu and the bereaved families.
The identities and nationalities of the victims were not immediately available following the crash. Authorities worked to clear the wreckage from the highway, with both damaged vehicles towed from the scene. The bodies of the deceased were transported to local morgues for storage and identification procedures.
Road safety advocates have pointed to this incident as another example of Tanzania’s ongoing struggle with traffic fatalities. The East African nation has experienced frequent deadly crashes on its road network, with official government statistics showing more than 1,300 people lost their lives in road accidents during 2023.
However, the World Health Organization suggests the actual death toll may be significantly higher than government figures indicate. A 2018 WHO report estimated that between 13,000 and 19,000 people in Tanzania were killed in traffic accidents during 2016, substantially exceeding the government’s official count of 3,256 fatalities for that year.
The Kilimanjaro region crash occurred despite repeated government campaigns aimed at improving road safety across the country. Officials have made numerous public appeals in recent years encouraging drivers to follow traffic regulations and exercise greater caution while operating vehicles.
President Hassan recently addressed the ongoing road safety crisis during her June 27 speech concluding the activities of the 12th Parliament of the United Republic of Tanzania. She emphasized that road accidents continue to claim the lives of citizens and urged all drivers to observe traffic laws with greater care.
The president also called upon the Police Force to enforce traffic safety laws more effectively throughout the country. Her administration has made road safety a priority issue, recognizing the significant impact that traffic fatalities have on families and communities across Tanzania.
Preliminary reports suggest that mechanical failure, specifically the tire burst, contributed to the driver losing control of the vehicle. Investigators are working to determine the exact sequence of events that led to the fatal collision and subsequent fire.
The Moshi-Tanga Highway serves as a major transportation route in northern Tanzania, connecting important commercial and population centers in the region. The road carries significant traffic volume, including both private vehicles and commercial transport serving local communities.
Local authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. The investigation will examine factors including vehicle maintenance records, driver qualifications, road conditions, and any potential contributing environmental factors at the time of the accident.
This latest incident adds to Tanzania’s troubling record of road traffic fatalities, highlighting the ongoing challenges facing the country’s transportation safety infrastructure. The government continues to grapple with implementing effective measures to reduce the frequency and severity of such accidents across its road network.