The nation is in mourning after a horrific bus accident claimed the lives of at least 38 people in what officials have described as one of the deadliest road incidents in recent years. The collision, which occurred on Saturday evening, 28 June 2025, in the Sabasaba area along the Moshi–Tanga highway in the Kilimanjaro region, in Tanzania, resulted in both vehicles bursting into flames, leaving a scene of utter devastation.
The Tanzanian presidency confirmed the details of the tragedy on Sunday, 29 June 2025, stating that the accident involved a bus and a minibus. Initial reports suggest that a tyre puncture on one of the buses caused the driver to lose control, leading to a head-on collision with the oncoming minibus.
"A total of 38 people died in the crash, including two women," the presidency said in a statement. The statement also noted that 28 people were injured, with six remaining in hospital for treatment.
The aftermath of the crash presented a grim challenge for authorities, as the intense fire left many of the victims burned beyond recognition. As of Sunday, officials confirmed that 36 bodies remained unidentified due to the severity of the burns. The nationalities of the victims were not immediately known.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan expressed her deep sorrow and extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased, wishing a swift recovery to those injured.
"I send my heartfelt condolences to Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner Nurdin Babu, the bereaved families, relatives, and friends," President Hassan said in a statement. "May God grant peace to the souls of the departed and a quick recovery to the injured. May He comfort and strengthen their families during this difficult time."
The President has also called for stricter adherence to road safety regulations, emphasising that such tragedies continue to take a heavy toll on Tanzanian families.
The accident has once again highlighted Tanzania’s persistent struggle with road safety. Road accidents are a frequent occurrence in the country, often attributed to factors such as poor vehicle maintenance, reckless driving, and inadequate enforcement of traffic laws.
International political analyst Jerry Muro, speaking from Kilimanjaro, said the incident had deeply affected the local community and raised broader concerns about transport regulations and driver training.
“This is a heartbreaking tragedy that not only brings pain to the victims’ families but also highlights the urgent need for stricter road safety measures,” Muro said.
In recent years, the Tanzanian government has made repeated calls to curb road fatalities, launching various safety campaigns in an effort to improve road safety. Despite these efforts, the number of accidents remains alarmingly high.
A 2018 report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) shed light on the scale of the problem, estimating that between 13,000 and 19,000 people in Tanzania were killed in traffic accidents in 2016. This figure is significantly higher than the government’s official toll of 3,256 people, suggesting that the true extent of the issue may be underreported.
Former Moshi Urban MP Jaffary Michael shared a particularly heart-wrenching account of how he received news of the accident, which claimed the lives of 30 of his relatives, friends, and neighbours who were on their way to attend his daughter’s wedding.
Speaking on 30 June 2025, in Moshi, Mr Michael, who is also the Chadema regional chairman, explained that the accident involved a head-on collision between a coaster bus carrying the wedding guests and a bus operated by Chanel One Company. The impact resulted in a fire that left most victims burned beyond recognition. The death toll has now risen to 39 after one more victim succumbed to injuries at KCMC Hospital.
“I was on my way to the venue when I got a phone call that there had been an accident. Initially, the information was unclear, so I tried to stay composed and continued with the ceremony while relatives were dispatched to confirm what had happened,” he said.
Mr Michael later received confirmation that nearly all the passengers in the coaster had perished, most of them burned beyond recognition. “It was devastating. We had invited more than 30 people from Same and they had all hired a single vehicle to attend the wedding. None survived,” he added.
Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner Nurdin Babu confirmed that five of the bodies have been identified, while DNA samples have been taken from the remaining 33 for proper identification and handover to their families.
He said that, “the government will cover all burial expenses, including transport and coffins. The Disaster Management Committee is working to finalise logistics.”
The RC also urged drivers, especially those operating passenger buses, to adhere strictly to traffic laws, adding that speeding continues to be a major cause of fatal road accidents.
Despite the tragic circumstances, the wedding itself proceeded the following day in Morogoro at the groom’s residence, though Mr Michael was unable to attend due to the tragedy.
“I encouraged them to go ahead with the ceremony while we continued preparing for the burials,” he said.
As Tanzania mourns the loss of so many lives, the government faces renewed pressure to address the systemic issues that contribute to the country’s high rate of road accidents. Stricter enforcement of traffic laws, improved vehicle maintenance standards, and enhanced driver training programmes are all essential steps that must be taken to prevent future tragedies.
What long-term solutions do you think could effectively address road safety concerns in Tanzania and prevent similar accidents from happening again?
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