14 passengers killed, 25 injured in Tanga accident

At least 14 people including a public prosecutor have lost their lives, while 25 others injured in a road accident involving a Coaster minibus and a Scania lorry yesterday morning.

Acting Tanga Region Police Commander Juma Ndaki, said the accident took place at Darajani area, Mkanyageni village in Muheza District.

According to the acting RPC, the minibus with registration no T 410 BJD was Tanga Lushoto bound from Tanga City was involved in a head collision with the lorry with registration no T 645 ABJ that was coming from the opposite direction.

Ndaki said both drivers survived the accident but incurred minor injuries.

The acting RPC told reporters that the cause of the accident is the lorry that left its lane identifying its driver as Benjamin Abed who is among the injuried persons.

The driver of the minibus is Bakari Mussa who was also injured.

The acting Regional Police Commander said the 14 bodies including the 25 injured were rushed to Muheza Designated Hospital.

For his part, doctor in charge at the hospital, Peter Ng’wamkai, confirmed to reporters that they received the 14 bodies.

He mentioned those already identified as Mud Mohamedi, Zawadi Juma, Ahamed Shedoe , Adamu Shomari and Salimu Hassani and Athumani Masanja who was a public prosecutor.

The doctor called on the public to visit the hospital so as to identify the remaining bodies that are preserved in the hospital’s mortuary.

Ng’wamkai also confirmed to have received the injured persons who have since been admitted.

Those admitted include Nathan Kilua, Ambrose Benedict, Nasibu Juma, Heri Philemon, Ramadhan Kamote, Mwanaisha Hamdani, Hidaya Mohamed, Hassan Juma, Aleni Charles and Paul Moshi.

Others are Swalehe Allan, Clara Lupari, Mwanaisha Rajabu, Abubakari Shehoza, Richard Kitala, Mwajuma Kasongo, Bahari Hussen, Mtaita Shangwe, Benjamen Abed, Ramadhan Athumani, John Fumeema and Ally Ibrahim.

Hundreds of ‘wananchi’ are reported to have  rushed to the scene of the accident and the hospital, possibly to identify the bodies.

Muheza District Commissioner Subira Mgalu, who is currently in Dodoma on official duties, has sent condolences to the deceaseds’ families and relatives and all district and regional authorities.

Following the accidents, Muheza Police Traffic Commander Abdi Isango, said from now on stern measures punishment will be taken to any driver found to have negligently caused an accident.

On Wednesday, the government expressed its intension to put contracts for bus and truck drivers under heavy scrutiny and surveillance in an apparent attempt to curb road accidents which annually costs over 3.2trn/-  in economic damages.

Preliminary investigations conducted by a sub-committee formed by Transport minister Dr Harrison Mwakyembe, recommended among other things that lack of contracts for motorists actively contributed  to  road accidents.

While 4,002 people died due to road related accidents, a whopping 26, 689 people survived with injuries in 2013.

Briefing reporters in Dodoma, Dr Mwakyembe who was accompanied by Employment and Labour minister Gaudentia Kabaka and Home Affairs deputy minister Pereira Silima said the government is set to carry out a countrywide investigation on drivers’ contracts.

In additional he said the exercise which will be carried out by Labour and Employment ministry will last for two months and will involve examination of drivers’ contributions to social security schemes.

“It's obvious that reckless driving is also contributed by lack of reasonable salary among drivers … We are expecting to launch the exercise anytime soon this year,” he said.