Bodies of Karagwe road accident victims taken by relatives for burial
KAGERA: THE bodies of seven people who died in a tragic road accident on Tuesday morning in Kihanga Village, Karagwe District, were handed over to their families yesterday for burial.
Karagwe District Commissioner (DC) Kalanga Laizer identified the deceased as Theresia Sebastian (64), Martha Msangi (23), Rumanyika Charles (25) and two children— Amanda Alfred (3) and Milembe Ezron (eight months).
Two other victims remain unidentified. “As we mourn the tragic passing of the seven Tanzanians, drivers are hereby reminded to take safety measures while on the road. We cannot allow innocent lives to be lost in avoidable circumstances,’ he said.
Mr Laizer explained that the government has given each affected family 450,000/- as consolation in addition to buying coffins and transporting the bodies to their respective villages for burial.
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Among the seven fatalities, four were women, one was a man and two were children. According to the Officer incharge for the Bukoba Regional Referral hospital (BRRH), Dr Museleta Nyakiroto, eight other people who sustained injuries were currently admitted to the Bukoba Regional Referral hospital in stable condition.
He named the patients as Mektrida John (56), George Charles (32) , Jonas Merigo (30), Betina Pasoo (20), Atugonza Light (6), Edward Benedict (46), Zaina Nakanjako (26) and James Novatus (30). Kagera Regional Police Commander Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SACP) Blasius Chatanda explained that the accident involved a Scania truck with registration number T621 EJQ and its trailer T472 EAQ and two passenger vehicles – a Toyota Hiace (T976 DGD) and a Coaster mini bus (367 ECP).
According to Commander Chatanda, the passenger vehicles were reportedly undergoing inspection by the Immigration Department at Kihanga village when the speeding truck crashed into it.
The truck driver, who fled the scene immediately after the accident, is believed to have been unfamiliar with road. He was reportedly driving at high speed after picking up a load of avocados in Karagwe and police are actively searching for him.
RPC Chatanda urged drivers to exercise caution and prioritise safety, particularly when driving on unfamiliar roads.
“As we approach the festive season, I stress the importance of adhering to normal speeds, especially for drivers of motor vehicles. Let us all take heed and avoid unnecessary loss of lives on our roads,’ he said.
