A catastrophic accident involving a passenger bus and a cargo lorry claimed 10 lives and left 23 people injured on December 31, 2025, in Morogoro Region, Tanzania. The accident transpired around 7 p.m. at Maseyu Village, along the Morogoro-Dar es Salaam highway, with both vehicles catching fire due to the collision’s impact.
The passenger bus, a Mitsubishi Fuso with the registration number T 1662 DMD, was operated by Bil Mawio Company. It was en route from the Msamvu upcountry bus terminal in Morogoro to Mombo in the Tanga Region, under the control of driver Swalehe Adam. The bus collided with a Howo cargo lorry, bearing registration T 956 ELW, which was towing a trailer with the registration T 828 ELW. The lorry, owned by Kikori Company, was transporting fertiliser from Dar es Salaam to the Mbeya Region, with a driver named Abuu from Msoga in Chalinze District at the wheel.
Morogoro Regional Police Commander Alex Mkama reported that all 10 fatalities were bus passengers, including eight men and two women. Due to the severity of the fire, the victims were burned beyond recognition at the accident site, making immediate identification impossible.
Awadh Juma Haji, Commissioner for Operations and Training, noted in his preliminary investigation that the lorry driver, estimated to be 26 to 28 years old, was negligent, causing the accident. “It is alleged that the lorry driver attempted to overtake other vehicles without due care during heavy rain,” Commissioner Haji said. “He left his lane at a section with a sharp bend and a steep slope. That negligence caused the head-on collision and the subsequent fire.”
Survivors narrated their horrifying experience. Samson Godfrey, who is being treated for a broken leg, said, “The bus was traveling at normal speed when the lorry suddenly veered into their lane. The bus driver could not avoid it. After the collision, the bus overturned and caught fire. I dragged myself out through a window. My leg was broken, but I managed to escape.” Another passenger, Pelegrini Mdimu, noted that visibility was compromised due to heavy rain.
Local villagers were the first to respond to the accident. Adam Ramadhan, Gwata Ward Councilor, described a chaotic scene where villagers were pulling victims from the wreckage before emergency services arrived. “We managed to rescue five passengers before the police and firefighters reached the scene. The fire was intense, but the heavy rain actually helped to contain the flames,” he said.
Those injured were promptly transported to Morogoro Regional Referral Hospital. The hospital’s Acting Medical Officer-in-Charge, Dr. Joseph Kway, confirmed they received 13 men and 10 women, including five children, with injuries ranging from fractures to head trauma. “Three remain under close observation, though their conditions are improving,” Dr. Kway stated. By January 2, 11 patients had been discharged, and 12 were still under medical care.
Out of the ten deceased, nine bodies are being kept at Morogoro Regional Referral Hospital, and one is at Mikese Health Centre. As of January 2, only five bodies had been identified due to severe burns. DNA samples have been taken from the unidentified bodies for further examination.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan conveyed her condolences to Morogoro Regional Commissioner Adam Malima in the aftermath of the tragedy. In a statement released by the Directorate of Presidential Communications, President Samia urged drivers to observe traffic laws and road safety regulations strictly to avoid such mishaps.
The police promised strict legal action against the lorry driver. Commissioner Haji emphasized that no motorist should attempt to overtake in hazardous conditions. “A driver who understands traffic laws would not overtake at such a dangerous spot,” he stressed.
The fatal accident on December 31 marked the end of 2025, a year that saw an alarming number of road accidents across Tanzania. Official reports indicate that human error is the cause of 97 percent of these accidents.
