20 die when bus overturns in eastern Tanzania

[News_Editor]

20 die when bus overturns in eastern Tanzania

2011-10-26 18:15:37 GMT+7 (ICT)

KIBAHA, TANZANIA (BNO NEWS) -- At least 20 people were killed on late Tuesday afternoon when a bus overturned and caught fire in eastern Tanzania, local media reported on Wednesday. Several others were injured.

The accident happened at around 3.30 p.m. local time on a road between Kongowe and Misugusungu in the Pwani Region, not far from the coast. The bus belonged to Deluxe Bus Service and was traveling from the city of Dar es Salaam to Dodoma, the capital of Tanzania.

According to the government-owned Daily News newspaper, the vehicle veered off the road when it experienced a burst tire and overturned before catching fire. It is believed at least 20 people were killed, but other newspapers said the death toll could reach 30.

"The driver and several passengers have died but we do not know yet the exact number of the dead passengers," Ernest Mangu, Coast Regional Police Commander (RPC), told Daily News. Many of the bodies were burnt beyond recognition.

A total of 17 people were transported to Tumbi Hospital in Kibaha District where they received treatment for serious burn injuries. Eyewitness Anna Amani told Daily News that some of the survivors managed to escape the vehicle through the windows.

Road accidents in Tanzania are common with at least 2,595 fatalities in 2007 alone, according to police figures. Many accidents are blamed on bad roads, poor vehicle maintenance and reckless driving.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-10-26