10 killed, 51 injured as vehicles collide.

Rescue efforts under way following yesterday afternoon�s road accident in Shinyanga Region in which ten people died and 51 were injured. (Photo: Correspondent Suzan Ditrick)
 At least 10 people died on the spot and 51 were seriously injured when two vehicles collided at Samuye village, Shinyanga Region, yesterday afternoon.

Shinyanga Regional Police Commander Justus Kamugisha said the accident occurred after a commuter bus was involved in a collision with a truck-with-a-trailer.

He said that the crash involved a Scania-make bus christened Unique with registration number T148 BKK heading to Tabora from Mwanza  and a trailer with registration number  T635 AJT on the Shinyanga-Nzega road.

“Ten people have lost their lives and 51 have sustained serious injuries and have been taken to Shinyanga Regional Hospital,” said RPC Kamugisha.

He said further details on the casualties would be given later, but not even a single name was given by the time we went to press.
He described the incident as the “worst road accident” to have occurred in Shinyanga Region.

The hospital’s doctor-in-charge, Salum Mfaume, confirmed having received nine bodies – adding that the tenth person died while receiving treatment at the facility.

 “The total number of those who have died is ten, while 51 people are being attended to in the hospital,” said Dr Mfaume.
Records show that this is the tenth accident reported in Tanzania within 42 days, with the toll standing at 150 people killed and dozens injured.

On April 17, a total of 39 people died in two accidents including 20 gold miners buried alive in Kahama District, Shinyanga Region.

Of those killed in road crashes, 19 died on the spot at Kiwira, Mbeya, when their vehicle – a Toyota Hiace with registration number T 290 ABU – veered off the road and fell into a river in Rungwe District.

Mbeya RPC Ahmed Msangi confirmed the incident, blaming it on speeding.

 At least 100 people died and 138 were injured in road accidents in the country between March 11 and April 12 this year.

Police sources maintain that the rate of road accidents can be contained if members of the public cooperate with traffic police officers and other authorities, including by observing traffic regulations and reporting offenders.