A devastating road accident in Tanzania has claimed the lives of at least 40 people after two buses collided and erupted into flames. The horrific crash occurred on Saturday evening, June 28, 2025, in the Sabasaba area along the Moshi–Tanga highway in the Kilimanjaro region.
Witnesses described scenes of terror and chaos as the two large buses burst into flames following the impact, trapping dozens of passengers inside. Local media reports that one of the buses was transporting people to a wedding celebration.
Images from the scene show the charred remains of the vehicles, with windows blown out and the metal frames twisted by intense heat. Emergency responders and bystanders worked frantically to rescue survivors from the wreckage, but many were severely burned and trapped inside before help could reach them.
According to Tanzanian officials, 30 other passengers were injured in the crash, several of them critically. The victims are believed to be local residents, and many were rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical treatment. Due to the extent of the burns, authorities say several of the deceased have yet to be formally identified.
Preliminary investigations suggest that a tire blowout on one of the buses may have caused the driver to lose control, leading to the deadly collision. However, the exact cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan expressed her sorrow in a statement posted on social media. “I send my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, relatives, and friends,” she wrote. “May God grant peace to the souls of the departed and a quick recovery to the injured. May He comfort and strengthen their families during this difficult time.”
This tragedy is the latest in a series of fatal bus crashes reported in recent months around the world. Just days ago, a bus carrying British tourists in southern Thailand flipped onto its side, injuring dozens. In May, another horrific incident occurred near Yellowstone National Park in the United States when a tourist bus collided with a pickup truck and exploded into flames, killing seven people.
Tanzania has seen several deadly road accidents over the years, often attributed to poor road conditions, reckless driving, and overloaded vehicles. Authorities are now facing growing calls to enforce stricter safety regulations and improve the condition of public transport services.
As the nation mourns, rescue teams continue to comb through the debris to ensure that all bodies are recovered and survivors are accounted for. Families of the victims are expected to gather for mass funerals in the coming days, marking a somber moment of unity and collective grief.
The Tanzanian government has promised to support the affected families and ensure a full investigation into the cause of the accident to prevent such a tragedy from recurring.