Police clarify Christmas day fatal accident in Tanga

TANGA: POLICE in Tanga Region have issued a clarification regarding a fatal road accident that occurred on Christmas Day at Taula Village in Handeni District, which ultimately claimed the lives of five people.

The clarification follows public discussion surrounding the number of victims, with police stressing that there was no controversy or inconsistency in the initial report.

According to Tanga Regional Police Commander, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SACP) Almachius Muchunguzi, the first police report accurately reflected the situation at the time of the accident, before some of the injured victims later succumbed to their injuries while receiving treatment.

“The initial report was correct. At the time, one person had died at the scene, while others were still alive but in critical condition,” he explained.

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The accident occurred at around 4:30am along the Chalinze–Segera highway, involving a Toyota RunX with registration number T350 DZA, which was travelling from Dar es Salaam to Moshi and a Mitsubishi Fuso truck with registration number T857 DZK, heading from Segera to Chalinze.

SACP Muchunguzi said that one person died instantly at the scene of the accident, while four others sustained serious injuries and were rushed to Korogwe District Hospital for urgent medical attention.

“Despite efforts by medical personnel, the four injured victims later died while undergoing treatment at the hospital,” he said.

He further disclosed that the deceased have been identified as Justine Jacobo, who died on the spot, and Herman Njau, Jerald Manyama, Lightness Lucas, and a minor, Anil Amiri, who passed away while receiving treatment.

Police said all the bodies were subjected to postmortem examinations in accordance with legal and medical procedures before being handed over to relatives for burial arrangements.

SACP Muchunguzi cautioned the public against using misleading or inflammatory language that could cause misunderstanding or mistrust between the community and state organs, particularly in sensitive matters involving loss of life. He also urged all road users to exercise maximum caution and strictly observe traffic laws in order to reduce accidents, especially during festive seasons when travel increases.

“Drivers must always remember the road safety message: ‘Drive Safely, Your Family Is Waiting,’” he emphasised. Meanwhile, police investigations into the cause of the accident are continuing