Tanzania Cracks Down on School Bus Safety Following Deadly Crash

Authorities in Tanzania say they are cracking down on school bus safety following a recent deadly crash that killed 35 people, nearly all of them schoolchildren.

The tragedy has revived advocacy for stricter safety rules that will help prevent future accidents.

The skeleton of the lime green minibus lies in the Arusha traffic police yard. Its front wheels are twisted upwards showing the force of the accident’s impact.

The accident killed 32 Tanzanian schoolchildren as well as their two teachers and the bus driver.

Arusha police has taken what remains of the school bus to their headquarters as part of an ongoing investigation.
Arusha senior assistant commissioner of police, Yusuph Ilembo said precautions must be taken.

“They must have their buses good, well checked, with good tires. And also their drivers, they must make sure their drivers never drive the school buses when they are drunk and they will never drive their buses with excessive speed.”

The school’s owner was detained on Tuesday for questioning, but has since been released on bail.
The students from Lucky Vincent Primary school in Arusha were on their way to another school outside the city when they had an accident.

Their bus plunged into a ravine. The force of the impact caused many of the seats to come undone and fly forward.