Grisly accident claim life of 14 people including 6 journalists in Tanzania

By Osoro Nyawangah MWANZA, Tanzania

Fourteen people including six journalists have died and several others injured after a Regional Commissioner’s convoy vehicle crashed with a passenger mini-bus at Nyamikoma, Busega district in Simiyu Region northern Tanzania.

One of the Mwanza Regional Commissioner, Robert Gabriel convoy vehicles; Toyota land Cruiser with registration number STK 8140 collided head-on with a Toyota Hiace in a grisly accident today morning killing passengers instantly.

The three-vehicles convoy was heading to Ukerewe island to inspect construction of school infrastructures and preparedness for the new academic year opening.

The government of Tanzania recently received a $571 million loan from IMF to help tackling the covid-19 pandemic economic challenges that have been channeled for construction of classrooms, health facilities and development of other community infrastructures.

Busega’s District Commissioner Garbriel Zakaria, has confirmed the accident that was caused by over speeding vehicles.

 “It’s true that the accident that has now claimed the lives of fourteen people with 11 people died on the spot at the incident,” said Mr Zakaria. He said that three others died at a Nassa health facility.

The journalist whose lives have been claimed have been identified as Husna Milanzi, a reporter for ITV, Johari Shani - Uhuru Digital, Anthony Chuwa – Freelance journalist, Mwanza regional commissioner’s communication officer, Abel Ngapenda, Ukerewe district communications officer, Steven Msengi and Paul Silanga, the driver of the Land Cruiser.

Other journalists sustained injuries have been named as Tunu Heman - Freelance and Vany Charles from Icon TV.

Writing on her twitter page the President of Tanzania, Samia Hassan sent condolence message to the families of the deceased.

“I am shocked by the deaths of 14 people including six journalists who passed away this morning after a car they were travelling in collided with a PSV. I send my condolences to the families, journalists and friends who have lost their loved ones. May God rest the souls of the deceased in peace and may the wounded heal quickly,” wrote President Samia. - Africa