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Tanzania tragedy: Ex-MP Jaffary Michael loses 30 relatives in wedding-bound bus crash
What you need to know:
- The accident, which occurred on June 28, 2025, in Same District, Kilimanjaro Region, involved a head-on collision between a coaster bus carrying the wedding guests and a bus operated by Chanel One Company.
Moshi. Former Moshi Urban MP Jaffary Michael has shared a heart-wrenching account of how he received news of a fatal road accident that claimed the lives of 30 of his relatives, friends and neighbours who were on their way to attend his daughter’s wedding.
The accident, which occurred on June 28, 2025, in Same District, Kilimanjaro Region, involved a head-on collision between a coaster bus carrying the wedding guests and a bus operated by Chanel One Company. The impact resulted in a fire that left most victims burned beyond recognition. The death toll has now risen to 39 after one more victim succumbed to injuries at KCMC Hospital.
Speaking on June 30 in Moshi, Mr Michael, who is also the Chadema regional chairman, said the news reached him late at night while the wedding celebration was ongoing at the Kuringe Hall.
“I was on my way to the venue when I got a phone call that there had been an accident. Initially, the information was unclear, so I tried to stay composed and continued with the ceremony while relatives were dispatched to confirm what had happened,” he said.
He later received confirmation that nearly all the passengers in the coaster had perished, most of them burned beyond recognition. “It was devastating. We had invited more than 30 people from Same and they had all hired a single vehicle to attend the wedding. None survived,” he said.
Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner Nurdin Babu confirmed that five of the bodies have been identified while DNA samples have been taken from the remaining 33 for proper identification and handover to their families.
He said that, “the government will cover all burial expenses, including transport and coffins. The Disaster Management Committee is working to finalise logistics.”
The RC also urged drivers, especially those operating passenger buses, to adhere strictly to traffic laws, adding that speeding continues to be a major cause of fatal road accidents.
The wedding itself proceeded the following day in Morogoro at the groom’s residence, though Mr Michael was unable to attend due to the tragedy.
“I encouraged them to go ahead with the ceremony while we continued preparing for the burials,” he said.
