By Correspondent, MBEYA
Tanzania
Thirteen individuals lost their lives instantly in a horrific traffic accident at an infamous area in Mbeya City, while 18 sustained injuries, necessitating their transfer to Mbeya Regional Hospital for urgent medical attention.
Among
the injured, eight were reported to be in critical condition.
The
incident, which occurred on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 along the Simike slope in
the Mbembela area, involved three cars, a three-wheeler, motorcycles, and a
truck.
It
all started when a truck failed to brake and collided with two cars and other
vehicles, leading to the fatal outcome.
"I
felt a heavy object hit me," recounted James Mwasa, a resident of Nzovwe,
one of the injured in a devastating accident that claimed 13 lives and left 18
others wounded.
Mwasa, speaking to our reporter, described the harrowing moment of
impact, expressing gratitude for his survival amidst severe injuries. He
acknowledged the swift assistance provided by bystanders, which likely saved
lives.
Regional
Police Commander, Benjamini Kuzaga confirmed the grim toll, detailing the
sequence of events and attributing the cause to the truck driver's inability to
control the vehicle after brake failure. The driver is under police custody
pending further investigation.
"A
Scania truck with registration number T 979 CVV and its trailer T 758 BFU
coming from Mbeya-Tunduma lost control and hit a Toyota small car 'Harrier'
with registration number T 120 DEL before hitting the Costa with registration
number T 167 DLF coming from Tunduma with passengers, resulting in 13 deaths
and 18 injuries."
Equally
being investigated is the drivers of the three-wheeler and the motorcycle.
"We
are taking steps with drivers, including education, but this is a steep area,
and with the construction of the four-lane road underway, such accidents may
disappear," said the commander.
Efforts
are underway to monitor the condition of the injured while educating drivers on
road safety, particularly in hazardous areas like Mount Shamwengo.
Witnesses
offered varying perspectives, citing road narrowness and inadequate lighting as
contributing factors. Calls were made for improved road infrastructure and
lighting to mitigate future accidents.
Emergency response teams, including firefighters and medical
personnel, played pivotal roles in rescue operations and providing immediate
medical care to the injured.
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