Over 20 Tanzanian students die in bus crash en route to write exam

29 school children, two teachers and a driver have died in a bus crash near Karatu in northern Tanzania Saturday morning.

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, police say.

Regional police commander Charles Mkumbo confirmed the death toll to the media, adding that several children escaped with injuries.

Tears and grief: Tanzania holds national funeral for 32 school kids killed in bus crash

Rescue operations were launched immediately after the accident to recover the bodies that included 12 boys and 17 girls.

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: Twitter