THIRTEEN people died and 59 suffered injuries in two bus accidents in Mwanza and Kilimanjaro regions, including five choir members from the Eastern and Coastal Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT).

In a condolence message, President Samia Suluhu Hassan expressed sadness at the reports of road accidents in the two regions causing deaths and injuries.

“I extend my condolences to all the bereaved families, relatives and friends. I pray that the departed rest in peace, and I wish all the injured a swift recovery,” the message intoned.

“As we approach the end of the year, I urge all road users to exercise greater caution. I have instructed all the relevant authorities to intensify their efforts in enforcing road safety laws,” the president remarked.

In a crash that killed five and injured 20 people, the bus accident occurred early yesterday in the Kirinjiko Airtel area near Mwembe in Same District, Kilimanjaro Region.  

The Wazo Hill Parish Choir of the diocese (DMP) was traveling from Dar es Salaam to Machame, Hai District near Moshi municipality to attend the funeral of a fellow choir member who had passed away two days earlier.

Kasilda Mgeni, the Same district commissioner, said that the choir members’ bus, a Toyota Coaster T 550 DVD, veered off the road and hit a culvert. It was part of a convoy of four medium buses, where it is said the driver dozed off briefly and, upon waking the bus had already crashed.

The injured were rushed to the Same district hospital, the Mawenzi referral hospital and the zonal referral hospital, KCMC), she said, noting that those who died in the accident had been identified as Stephen Temba (40), Aurelia Swai (50), Neema Ngusi (35), Charles Mchome (63) and Maderina Mtenzi (58).

The injured are Neema Mgolo (54), Happyness Msagati, Elinaike Mushi (48), Flora Kamnde (46), Joyce (66), Arnold Uroki (49), Richard Lupatu and George Kilango (55).

Still others are Grace Macha (55), Herry Macha (53), Haika Urio (51), Daniel Kilonzi (40), Evaline Muro (54), Martha (42), Easter Lukindo (56), and Habia Kasumuni (56).

Joel Massawe, the KCMC acting public relations officer, stated that they had received three women patients with serious injuries and they were rapidly put to treatment.

Vena Karia, the Mawenzi Hospital spokesperson, reported that they had received one patient who is being treated.

Regional Commissioner Nurdin Babu urged drivers to always exercise caution, reminding them that they are responsible for the lives of the passengers.

 In another accident, a head-on collision between two passenger buses occurred early yesterday in the Ukiriguru area of Misungwi District, Mwanza Region. A Nyehunge Express bus T.281 EFG traveling from Morogoro to Mwanza, and an Asante Rabi bus T458 DYD en route to Arusha from Mwanza collided, officials said.

DCP Wilbroad Mutafungwa, the regional police commander, said that excessive speeding was involved, with the Nyehunge bus driver overtaking without caution.

"The driver was overtaking vehicles in a sharp-bend area, despite signs prohibiting such actions," he stated, noting that during the overtaking manoeuvre, the driver collided with the Asante Rabi bus. 

Nearby residents and health workers quickly responded, helping recover passengers' belongings and providing medical aid, he said, while Makeso Makongoro, an assistant fire superintendent heading the regional fire and rescue unit, reported that they successfully rescued some trapped passengers, including the Nyehunge bus driver. 

Timely reporting of such incidents enables swift responses from the rescue force, he said, with traffic resuming after the mangled vehicles were cleared from the road.

Survivors of the Mwanza crash included journalist Angelo Mwoleka who recounted the harrowing incident. Boarding the Asante Rabi bus, he sustained injuries that required seven stitches and was taken to Kamagana Hospital in Nyegezi.

"I have a cut from inside my mouth to the outside. I am recovering well, but I think up to 10 people must have died," he said.

Another survivor, Eliud Salam, described the moments leading up to the crash. He recalled being startled by a loud noise that sounded like a tire bursting. He quickly braced himself, and shortly after, the bus overturned onto its side.

Dr Clement Morabu, the Misungwi District chief medical officer, confirmed the recovery of seven bodies, including a nine-month-old baby who passed away while receiving treatment.

 "We received seven bodies: three women and five men, including a nine-month-old baby in a critical condition," he stated, noting that medical teams quickly arrived at the scene and found over 50 injured individuals.

“They assessed the situation, transferring 21 with less severe injuries to Usagara Health Center, while 18 others were taken to the district hospital. All 39 injured were treated, with four in a critical condition referred to the Bugando zonal referral hospital for further examination and treatment,” he added.