Mass Casualty as Two Buses Collide in Tanzania — 40 Confirmed Dead

KILIMANJARO, TANZANIA – At least 40 people were killed and more than 30 others injured in a deadly head-on collision involving two passenger buses in northern Tanzania on Saturday night, authorities have confirmed.

The fatal crash occurred in the Sabasaba area along the busy Moshi–Tanga highway in the Kilimanjaro Region. According to police, the two buses—belonging to Abood and Sabena bus companies—collided at high speed under circumstances that are still under investigation.

Eyewitnesses described a terrifying scene as both buses erupted in flames moments after the impact, trapping many passengers inside. Locals and passing motorists rushed to the site in a desperate attempt to save lives, smashing windows to pull survivors from the wreckage before the flames intensified.

“It was chaos—people screaming, fire everywhere. We tried to help, but it was too late for many,” said one resident who witnessed the aftermath.

Emergency services, including firefighters, police, and Red Cross volunteers, responded swiftly, but the intensity of the fire and remote location hampered rescue operations. Many victims sustained severe burns, while others were injured by the force of the crash. Several remain in critical condition in hospitals across Moshi and Korogwe.

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan expressed her deep sorrow over the tragedy, extending condolences to the bereaved families and ordering a full investigation. “This heartbreaking incident must prompt immediate action on road safety. We cannot afford to lose more lives on our roads,” she said in a statement on Sunday.

Preliminary findings suggest speeding and reckless overtaking may have contributed to the crash. Authorities are now scrutinising compliance with safety regulations by both bus operators.

Road traffic accidents are a persistent challenge in Tanzania, with hundreds of lives lost each year due to poor infrastructure, driver negligence, and weak enforcement of traffic laws.

The Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS) has pledged to intensify safety reviews and improve signage along high-risk routes, including the Moshi–Tanga corridor.

Meanwhile, recovery operations are ongoing, and officials warn that the death toll may rise as some bodies remain unaccounted for. Families searching for missing relatives have been urged to contact local authorities.