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Tanzania: Grief as 11 School Children Die in Grisly Road Accident

By Kevin Koech

Posted on 27 July 2022

13 people have died and several others injured following an early morning accident in Mikindani, Mtwara in Tanzania.

The casualties of the accident are 11 children and two adults believed to be a teacher and the driver of the school van.

The cause of the accident involving the school van from King David Primary School is yet to be established.

According to reports, the vehicle is said to have veered off the road and plunged into a ridge resulting to the fatal incident.

Photos from the accident scene showed helpless children lying by the road after good samaritans came to their aid.

In her message following the accident, President Samia Suluhu condoled with the affected families and wished the injured a quick recovery.

“I am saddened by the deaths of 8 pupils of King David primary school and 2 adults that happened this morning in Mtwara- Mikindani after their school bus plunged into a ditch

“I offer my condolences to the bereaved, the Regional Commissioner and relatives. May Allah have mercy on the deceased and heal the injured,” the Head of State said.

Nimesikitishwa na vifo vya wanafunzi 8 wa Shule ya Msingi King David na watu wazima wawili vilivyotokea leo eneo la Mjimwema, Mikindani, mkoani Mtwara. Natoa pole kwa wote waliopoteza jamaa zao. Mungu azilaze roho za marehemu mahali pema na awajalie majeruhi wapone haraka.

— Samia Suluhu (@SuluhuSamia) July 26, 2022

The accident in the neighboring Tanzania came days after 35 Kenyans were killed in a road accident in Tharaka Nithi County.

The incident happened after a Mombasa-bound Modern Coast bus lost control and plunged into River Nithi.

According to Tharaka Nithi County Commissioner Nobert Komora, the 57-seater PSV veered off the road and plunged 40 metres into the river.

Moments after the grisly accident, images online showed bodies scattered around the bus which was badly written off.

“We are sadly announcing to the nation that this evening we have lost 24 people in a grisly Modern Coast Bus accident at the notorious Nithi River bridge along the Meru-Nairobi highway,” Komora stated.

The injured were rushed to Chuka County Referral Hospital and PCEA Chogoria Mission Hospital while the bodies were taken to mortuaries in the same hospitals.