A devastating collision between two passenger buses in Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro region has claimed at least 40 lives and injured 30 others, according to officials. The accident occurred Saturday evening, June 28, in the Sabasaba area along the Moshi-Tanga highway when both vehicles burst into flames following impact.
The crash involved a long-distance bus operated by Channel One company traveling from Moshi to Tanga and a Mitsubishi Rosa minibus carrying passengers to a wedding ceremony. Regional Police Commander Simon confirmed that the collision was caused by a tire burst on the Channel One bus, which led the driver to lose control and collide head-on with the oncoming minibus.
Eyewitnesses described hearing a deafening noise as the two vehicles collided before being engulfed in flames following a fire explosion. The intensity of the blaze hindered rescue operations, making it difficult for emergency workers to retrieve bodies from the wreckage. Kilimanjaro Regional Fire and Rescue Commander Jeremiah Mkomagi acknowledged that the fire significantly complicated recovery efforts.
Due to the severity of the burns, 36 bodies remain unidentified, according to official statements. The government has initiated DNA testing procedures to help identify victims whose remains were severely damaged by the fire. The identities and nationalities of all victims were not immediately known.
Of the 30 injured survivors, 24 received treatment at Same District Hospital while five others were transported to Mawenzi Regional Referral Hospital and KCMC for more advanced care. Six of the injured remained hospitalized for continued treatment as of Sunday.
Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner Nurdin Babu, who visited both the accident scene and injured victims in the hospital, described the incident as an unprecedented tragedy in the region. Babu indicated that authorities were urging families to begin checking on the whereabouts of their loved ones, as some bodies remained unidentified.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan expressed deep sorrow in an official statement released Sunday. “I send my heartfelt condolences to Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner Nurdin Babu, the bereaved families, relatives, and friends,” Hassan stated. The President extended prayers for peace for the departed souls and quick recovery for the injured, while asking for divine comfort and strength for affected families during this difficult time.
Hassan emphasized the ongoing concern over road safety in Tanzania, referencing her recent speech on June 27 during the conclusion of the 12th Parliament session where she addressed the continuing loss of lives due to road accidents. The President called for stricter adherence to road safety regulations and urged the police force to continue enforcing traffic laws with diligence.
Road accidents remain a persistent problem in Tanzania despite repeated government safety campaigns in recent years. The country’s government has made numerous calls to curb road fatalities, but deadly crashes continue to occur frequently across the nation.
According to official government statistics, more than 1,300 people lost their lives in road accidents in Tanzania in 2023. However, the World Health Organization suggests the actual number of fatalities could be significantly higher. In a 2018 WHO report, an estimated 13,000 to 19,000 people in Tanzania were killed in traffic accidents in 2016, far exceeding the government’s official toll of 3,256 people for that year.
The Sabasaba accident represents one of the deadliest road incidents in the Kilimanjaro region in recent memory. Authorities have cleared the wreckages from the scene, with both vehicles towed away following the completion of initial investigations. The bodies of the deceased were transported to local morgues for storage and identification procedures.
Investigations into the full circumstances surrounding the crash remain ongoing. Emergency response teams continue to monitor the condition of hospitalized survivors, while families await word on the identification of victims through DNA testing. The tragic incident has prompted renewed calls from government officials for enhanced road safety measures and stricter enforcement of traffic regulations to prevent similar accidents in the future.
Sources:
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/37-people-killed-bus-collision-remote-part-tanzania-123316348
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/29/at-least-38-people-killed-in-tanzanian-bus-collision-subsequent-fire
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2553297/bus-crash-in-tanzania-kills-38-as-vehicle-bursts-into-flames
https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/40-dead-in-tanzania-bus-crash-dozens-hurt-as-vehicles-catch-fire-after-collision-glbs-2748106-2025-06-30
https://www.tuko.co.ke/people/family/594475-samia-suluhu-mourns-37-killed-kilimanjaro-road-accident-left-30-injured/
