No fewer than seven journalists in Tanzania have died after a car carrying Robert Gabriel, the Mwanza Regional Commissioner, crashed with a PSV at Nyamikola in Busega, Simiyu.
Seven others were killed in the incident, which left several others injured.
Busega District Commissioner, Garbriel Zakaria, confirmed that four journalists and their driver, plus six others from the PSV, were killed on the spot.
“It is true that eleven people died at the scene of the accident that led to the deaths of fourteen people,” said Zakaria.
A few minutes after the injured were taken to Nasa health center, three others died.
The journalists, whose lives were claimed in the accident, have been identified as Husna Milanzi – ITV; Johari Shani – Uhuru Digital; Anthony Chuwa – Freelance; Abel Ngapenda – Communications officer, Mwanza Region; Steven Msengi – Ukerewe Communications Officer, and Paul Silanga, the driver. The injured are Tunu Heman – Freelance and Vany Charles from Icon TV.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan sent condolences on her Twitter page to the families of the deceased.
“I am shocked by the deaths of 14 people including six journalists who passed away this morning after a car they were travelling in collided with a PSV. I send my condolences to the families, journalists and friends who have lost their loved ones. May God rest the souls of the deceased in peace and may the wounded heal quickly,” she wrote.
Seven people, including five journalists from Azam Media Group, were killed in a road accident in Tanzania in 2019.
The accident occurred between Igunga (Tabora) and Shelui (Singida) in Kizonzo.