Three killed in petrol tanker explosion following collision in Tanzania
Morogoro acting Regional Police Commander Linus Mnyambwa, inspects the petrol tanker after its collision with another lorry on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at the Nane Nane area on the Morogoro-Dar es Salaam highway, which claimed the lives of three people. PHOTO | JUMA MTANDA
What you need to know:
- The Acting Regional Police Commander (RPC) for Morogoro, Linus Mnyambwa, confirmed the incident, explaining that it occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, 4 March 2025.
Morogoro. Three people have tragically lost their lives in a fire following a collision between a petrol tanker and a lorry in the Nane Nane area along the Morogoro-Dar es Salaam highway.
The Acting Regional Police Commander (RPC) for Morogoro, Linus Mnyambwa, confirmed the incident, explaining that it occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, 4 March 2025.
He said the petrol tanker, travelling from Dar es Salaam to Rwanda, collided head-on with a lorry.
Mr Mnyambwa said that the collision resulted in a massive explosion, igniting both vehicles. Three people, trapped inside, were unable to escape and died in the fire.
"Three individuals have died in this tragic accident. Despite efforts by emergency teams to extinguish the fire, those trapped inside could not be saved," he told The Citizen on Tuesday, 4 March 2025.
"An investigation is underway to determine the cause, but this serves as a reminder for drivers to exercise caution on the roads," he added.
Fire and Rescue Department Commander Faraja Pazzy confirmed that fire crews arrived shortly after the alarm was raised and worked throughout the night to contain the blaze.
He said that by the time they arrived, two fatalities had already been confirmed in the lorry.
"Currently, we have confirmed two deaths, but the toll may rise as the fire in the petrol tanker remains intense. The tanker was carrying both petrol and diesel, and we are continuing efforts to control the fire while assessing any further casualties," said Pazzy.
Eyewitness Juma Ramadhan reported that the two lorries were travelling together from Msamvu in Morogoro Municipality to Dar es Salaam.
As they approached the Nane Nane area, one lorry slowed down due to an approaching bump.
The second attempted to overtake but collided head-on with the petrol tanker, which was travelling in the opposite direction.
According to the Traffic Police Division, between July and September 2024, 453 people lost their lives in road accidents, a decrease from the 477 fatalities recorded in the same period in 2023. The number of injuries in 2024 stood at 835, compared to 782 the previous year.
The primary causes of these accidents include speeding, alcohol consumption, poor infrastructure, failure to adhere to traffic regulations, mechanical failures, and driver negligence.
