Death toll in Arusha school bus carnage climbs to eight

Arusha. Eight bodies have been recovered at the scene of an accident that occurred early Friday, April 12, including seven Ghati Memorial Primary School pupils.

Another body found and recovered from the Themi River was identified to be that of a Good Samaritan who assisted in the rescue operation.

Rescue was facilitated by the Fire and Rescue Brigade, the Tanzania Police Force, officials from the district commissioner's office and the local community.

Recovered body remains have been preserved at the Muriet Hospital’s mortuary in Arusha.

Reports from the region made early today, stated that seven pupils from Ghati Memorial Primary School in Murieti, Arusha Region, were feared to be dead.

Fears came after a school bus with registration number T 496 EFK fell into a ditch filled with water in the Dampo Area located in the region.

Arusha Regional Fire Brigade Commander, Osward Mwanjejele, confirmed the incident, saying that the vehicle plunged into a ditch that drains its water into the Themi River.

"Initial reports indicate that the vehicle was carrying 11 pupils, two teachers, and a driver. Four students, a teacher, and a driver were immediately assisted," he said.

Eyewitnesses, including Mr Evance Rafael said the vehicle passed the area every morning to pick up the pupils from school, but on its return, water levels excessively rose in the area, leading to the said accident.

"We heard screams from a woman close to our brick-making spot. As we rushed, we saw the pupil’s vehicle floating in the floodwaters,” he said.

 “The woman told us that she warned the driver not to cross the area due to the high water level, but in vain. Upon attempting to cross the area, he failed to control the vehicle and swayed into the ditch," added Mr Rafael.

Narrating the ordeal, he said they started rescue operations, managing to retrieve two teachers, the driver, and three pupils.

Furthermore, he said one male pupil had already died after the vehicle had been filled with water.

Another eyewitness, Ms Lilian Mussa, said: “After losing control, the driver jumped out. Efforts to help the children were affected by the strength of the floodwaters that carried the vehicle deeper.”

A citizen on the rescue team, Mr Elia Mbise, said they managed to retrieve another body in the Muriet Area at midday before recovering another body in the Miongoine Area.

"What helped us was following clothes that were stuck on trees as we passed the ditch. When we arrived at the Muriet Area, we also saw a coat, which, upon closer inspection, turned out to be a body, which was then retrieved," he said.

He added: “We also managed to recover another body in the Mirongoine area, all of which were taken to the hospital mortuary in Muriet.

Arusha District Commissioner Felician Mtahengerwa said the accident was caused by heavy rainfall that pounded the area throughout the night, directing its water into various pathways, including the Sinoni ditch.