KARAGWE (Kagera, Tanzania), Dec 4 (NNN-DAILYNEWS) — Seven people, including two children, lost their lives, and nine others sustained injuries in a tragic accident on Tuesday morning at Kihanga Beria in Karagwe District, Kagera Region.
Kagera Regional Police Commander, Brasius Chatanda, confirmed the fatal collision, which occurred around 11:00 AM. The accident involved a Scania truck and two passenger vehicles – a Toyota Hiace and a Costa bus.
According to Commander Chatanda, the passenger vehicles were reportedly undergoing inspection by the Immigration Department in the Beria Mazao area when the speeding truck collided with them.
The truck driver, who is believed to have been unfamiliar with the road, was reportedly driving at high speed after picking up a load of avocados in Karagwe, following a previous load of rice from Mbeya.
“Witnesses say the driver had turned on the hazard lights to warn of his approach, but his unfamiliarity with the road and excessive speed likely contributed to the significant damage caused,” Commander Chatanda explained.
Among the seven fatalities, four were women, one was a man, and two were children. Of the nine injured, five are women and four are men.
All the injured are receiving treatment at Kagera Regional Referral Hospital, where the bodies of the deceased have also been preserved for identification.
The truck driver fled the scene immediately after the accident, and police are actively searching for him.
Commander Chatanda urged drivers to exercise caution and prioritize safety, particularly when driving on unfamiliar roads.
“As we approach the festive season, I stress the importance of adhering to normal speeds, especially for drivers of motor vehicles. Let’s avoid unnecessary loss of lives on our roads,” he said. — NNN-DAILYNEWS
