Tanzania holds national funeral for 32 school kids killed in bus crash

The Tanzanian government has disclosed that it will be taking the full expenses of burial arrangements for the over thirty school children who perished in an accident on Saturday.

A national funeral was held for the deceased persons comprising 32 children, two teachers and a driver of the bus in which they were traveling. The bus crashed near Karatu in northern Tanzania Saturday morning.

Thousands of Tanzanians thronged the Sheikh Amri Abeid stadium in Arusha city where the funeral is taking place. The Vice President, Samia Suluhu, was joined by other top government officials at the ceremony.

“The government will improve road infrastructure to lessen road accidents,” she told the crowd. Family members and friends of victims were seen in a sorrowful mood with most shedding tears as the bodies of the deceased arrived.

Concerns are raised over safety at the stadium as mourners overcrowd to give their last respect #KaratuBusAccident pic.twitter.com/TuSxElBAHL

— The Citizen Tanzania (@TheCitizenTZ) May 8, 2017

Members of the Army are alert at the stadium, ready to receive bodies of the deceased. #KaratuBusAccident pic.twitter.com/QNqcgYpUgh

— The Citizen Tanzania (@TheCitizenTZ) May 8, 2017

The country’s legislature has announced a donation of 100 million shillings ($44,700) to families of the victims. Each of the bereaved families according to an official shall be given 1 million shillings ($450) out of the total donations.

The students of the Lucky Vincent English-Medium School in Arusha city were en route to write an examination in Karatu when their bus skidded off the road and fell into a river, the police said.

The accident is believed to have been caused by rainfall in the hilly area, but the police commander says they are investigating the incident. President John Magufuli has commiserated with the families of the students in a statement describing the accident as a “national tragedy”.

Photo credit: @CitizenTZ