Student drowns while swimming in Tanga

TANGA: A 20-year-old first-year diploma student at the Kange Institute of Public Service has drowned in the Indian Ocean in Tanga Region, police have confirmed.

The deceased has been identified as Elisha Rodrick Mdindile. According to a statement issued by Tanga Regional Police, quoting Regional Police Commander Almachius Muchunguzi, the incident occurred on the evening of March 21, 2026, at the Swimming Club area in Central Ward, Chumbageni Division, within Tanga region.

Preliminary police investigations indicate that Mdindile had gone to the beach with two fellow students for a swim.

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He reportedly left his companions and entered a deeper section of the ocean, where he failed to resurface. Officers from the Fire and Rescue Force conducted rescue efforts and managed to retrieve him from the water before rushing him to Bombo Regional Referral Hospital.

However, medical personnel confirmed that he had already died. Police have urged members of the public, particularly young people, to exercise caution when visiting water bodies and avoid swimming in unsafe or undesignated areas.