Morogoro fatal accident deserve condemnation

At least ten people died in two separate road accidents in Morogoro region yesterday. In the first incident, seven people died instantly and 38 others were injured after a bus with registration number T915 BGF, Mfundo Express, plying between Ilonga and Morogoro Urban veered off the road and plunged into a basin at Ndororo hill, Chikuti village in Ulanga district’s Vigoi division. Ulanga District Commissioner Jacob Kassema told the ‘Daily News’ yesterday that the deadly accident occurred at around 8.00am along Mahenge-Morogoro road. He explained that seven people died on the spot, with 38 injured, out of whom 18 were women and 20 men, including four children. The DC explained that of the 38 casualties, three in critical condition were rushed to St. Francis hospital in Ifakara while the rest were admitted to Ulanga district hospital. Mr Kassema said six of the deceased were female and one male, with six bodies identified by their relatives. 

People look at the ill-fated bus which was involved in accident in Morogoro yesterday,

Ulanga District Medical Officer Dr Rajab Risasi said that one of the deceased was a child and the driver of the bus. In another accident, three students of the Morogoro-based Kayenzi Secondary School died and 27 others injured after a minibus they were travelling in hit a train yesterday morning, Regional Police Commander Ulrich Matei confirmed.  The RPC said one of the deceased was identified as Monica Julius while the other two were not recognised. The bodies of the deceased are preserved at Morogoro Regional Referral Hospital, pending identification and burial arrangements.  “We are holding one Charles Petro, 39, driver of the ill-fated minibus for interrogation and further investigation before arraigning him in court … because the accident was caused by reckless driving at a railway crossing spot,” he said. He urged drivers and other road users to comply with road safety regulations to avoid accidents. Rehema Awadhi, living near the railway line said she woke up early yesterday and, as she prepared herself for her domestic chores at around 7:30am, she heard a terrible ‘bang’ followed with the pupils’ cries. She allegedly witnessed the train dragging the commuter vehicle for almost ten metres from her house. “It was terrible… I have never seen such suffering of little angels,” she narrated. Ms Awadhi said yesterday’s was the sixth accident since she started living at the area, blaming drivers who often ignore train alerts. She said, “I think there should be a gate, which the drivers will definitely observe… otherwise, many more will perish.”