DNA tests to identify 16 victims of road smash

Tarime. DNA test results for identification of 16 bodies of people who died in a road accident involving two commuter buses in Tarime District will be released in a week’s time, the government said yesterday.

At the same time, President John Magufuli has sent his condolences to the bereaved families.

Briefing the media in Musoma, Mara Regional Commissioner Adam Malima said investigations to determine the number of people who were on board the vehicles were still going on.

Preliminary investigations have established that heavy rain may have affected visibility, leading to a head-on collision in which both vehicles burst into flames.

Mr Malima also said the regional defence and security committee had decided that the burial of those who died take place today near the accident scene.

He said the decision was reached by various parties, including the Disaster Management Committee in the Prime Minister’s Office.

Mr Malima said it was not easy to physically identify the bodies as they were burnt beyond recognition in the blaze.

However, he added that relatives who managed to identify their kin would be allowed to collect their bodies for burial.

Until yesterday, at least three bodies had been identified. They include that of one of the drivers.

One body was identified through a chain worn around the neck, while another was identified as a victim who died in hospital where he was rushed to.

Mr Malima further said that the graves would carry identification numbers that would be matched with DNA results for easy identification by relatives.

“It is difficult to know who was inside the vehicle because there is no procedure warranting passengers to be recorded,” he said.

He, however, noted that the names of 12 of the 16 deceased were known, although their bodies could not be recognised.

The victims include Makori Mwita, Edward Wambura, Zawadi Makopolo, Bhoke Kichere, Yunis Gaya, Monica Okoth, Mwita Kahema, Lucia Odongo, Nashon Marumi, Josephat Amon, Nashon Emmanuel and Nyagambe Ngoya.

Meanwhile, Rispa Makopolo, a resident of Buturi District in Mara Region, said she believed that her sister Zawadi Makopolo might have died in the accident, although they were not able to identify her body.

She asked the government to use DNA tests to enable relatives identify the bodies of their loved ones.

“My sister Zawadi called me yesterday (Sunday) to inform me that she would be travelling in one of the vehicles involved in the accident, However, we have not been able to identify her body,” she said.