Ten killed, 19 injured in Mvomero road tragedy

MOROGORO: TEN people have died and 19 others sustained injuries following a tragic road accident that occurred in Melela Kibaoni village, Mvomero District, along the Iringa–Morogoro highway.

Morogoro Regional Police Commander (RPC) Alex Mkama confirmed the incident, saying the accident took place when a passenger bus travelling from Mbeya to Dar es Salaam was struck by a Scania truck carrying sugar.

The collision killed ten people on the spot and left others seriously injured.

“The crash occurred around dawn and involved a Higer bus with registration number T.523 EKM, driven by Hussein Mkwizu, 59, a resident of Dar es Salaam. It was hit by a truck bearing registration T.406 CZS with trailer T.804 BUB,” said Commander Mkama.

Preliminary investigations suggest the truck driver lost control, veered off the road and collided head-on with the oncoming bus.

The truck driver fled the scene and is currently being pursued by the police. Among the deceased were six men and four women, including the bus driver, Mr Mkwizu.

The 19 injured passengers were rushed to the Morogoro Regional Referral Hospital for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were taken to the hospital’s mortuary for identification and further procedures.

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Commander Mkama underscored the need for drivers to observe traffic regulations and prioritise safety.

“This tragedy could have been avoided. Drivers must inspect their vehicles before departure, rest when fatigued and follow traffic laws. Reckless behaviour on the roads puts lives at risk. Offenders will face serious legal consequences,” he warned.

The accident adds to a series of deadly crashes on the country’s roads, including a recent disaster on the Mbeya–Tunduma highway that claimed 28 lives when a Scania truck lost control and plunged into the Mbalizi River ravine after hitting two vehicles.

Upon this tragedy, President Samia Suluhu Hassan expressed deep sorrow over the victims and urged all drivers to strictly adhere to traffic regulations and called on authorities to intensify road safety enforcement.

“I pray for the departed to rest in peace and for the injured to recover quickly. My condolences go to all affected families and communities,” she said.

The President also directed TANROADS and TARURA to accelerate improvements in road infrastructure, especially in accident-prone areas.

According to police data, 1,735 road accidents were recorded in 2024, resulting in 1,198 deaths and 2,719 injuries. More than 70 per cent of these accidents were attributed to human error, including speeding, fatigue and poor vehicle maintenance.

The Mvomero crash follows other fatal incidents, including the March 2025 collision in Dodoma that killed six and injured 49 and the September 2024 bus overturn in Mbeya Rural District, which left 11 dead and over 40 injured.

In December 2023, 15 people lost their lives in Morogoro’s Mikese Ward when a lorry collided head-on