Nine die, 16 injured in bus-lorry crash
DODOMA: A JOURNEY of 25 passengers ended in tragedy yesterday morning when a bus collided with a lorry at Kambi ya Nyasa Village in Chemba District, Dodoma Region, leaving nine people dead and 16 others injured. The crash adds to a series of recent fatal accidents.
On Sunday, five members of one family died after their car collided head-on with another vehicle in Bagamoyo District.
The following day, four Sisters of the Carmelite Missionaries of St Thérèse of the Child Jesus and their driver were killed in a grisly road accident in Mwanza on Monday night.
According to Dodoma Police reports, four of those who perished in yesterday’s accident were students, though the name of their school had not yet been established. Dodoma Regional Police Commander Gallus Hyera confirmed the accident, which occurred at around 7:40 a.m.
The crash involved a Babu Trans bus (registration number T.129 DVX, Tata make) travelling from Kondoa to Dodoma and a lorry (registration number T.907 EJZ) heading from Dodoma to Kondoa. Commander Hyera said the deceased included the bus driver and four students, while the lorry driver was among the injured.
The students who died were identified as Caroline Joackim (13), Rukia Ally (14), Bashiru Hashim (13) and Nasra Mohamed (18).
Survivors and eyewitnesses said the lorry driver veered off his lane to the right, colliding head-on with the bus.
Commander Hyera reminded drivers to strictly observe traffic rules, stressing that negligence continues to claim innocent lives.
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Dodoma Regional Commissioner Rosemary Senyamule, who visited the injured at Dodoma Regional Referral Hospital, confirmed that five victims died at the scene. Quoting police and medical reports, she explained that 20 injured victims were rushed to Chemba District Hospital, where four died en route or while receiving treatment.
This brought the death toll to nine and left 16 others injured. She added that nine of the injured were later transferred to Dodoma Regional Referral Hospital for specialised care.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our fellow Tanzanians in this terrible accident. We are grateful to those who were on the frontline rescuing the victims and ensuring the injured were safely transported to Dodoma Regional Referral Hospital,” she said.
Ms Senyamule noted that the accident happened on a straight, tarmacked stretch of road with clear visibility, urging drivers to exercise caution.
“If you feel drowsy, stop the vehicle, park and rest. We wish everyone could travel safely everywhere,” she stressed. Dodoma Regional Referral Hospital’s Acting Medical Officer, Dr Ibenzi Ernest, confirmed receiving nine injured patients. “Some sustained fractures in their arms and legs, while others suffered head injuries,” he said.
