46 Victims Discharged After Same Crash Tragedies

46 Survivors of Same Accidents Discharged, Six Choir Members to Be Laid to Rest Today

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Same, Kilimanjaro Region – A total of 46 individuals injured in two separate traffic accidents in Same District, including a tragic crash that claimed the lives of six choir members from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania (ELCT), have been discharged from hospital following significant improvement in their condition.

The first accident, which occurred on March 30, 2025, involved a church choir from the ELCT Mmeni Chome Parish, Pare Diocese, who were traveling from Chome to Vudee for an evangelism mission. The coaster vehicle they were in veered off course and overturned in the Pare Mountains, resulting in six fatalities and 23 injuries.

The deceased have been identified as:

• Namsifu Chedi Mbula (79)

• Mbazi Ahadi Mjema (14)

• Paulo Kadio Mchome (40)

• Christina Nzinyangwa Kirumbi (60)

• Agness Elikunda Mchome (59)

• Niwaeli Ombeni Ngeruya (74)

A second unrelated accident on the same day occurred in Njoro, within the Same District, when a bus operated by Osaka Company traveling from Moshi to Dar es Salaam was involved in a crash. The incident claimed one life and left 53 people injured. Some were treated at Same District Hospital, while others were referred to Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC).

Same District Commissioner Kasilda Mgeni confirmed the cause of the first accident was a mechanical failure as the coaster attempted to climb a steep section of the mountainous road. She urged all drivers traversing the Same highway to exercise extra caution, particularly due to the strong winds common in the area.

District Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Alex Alexandra, provided an update on the victims' medical status, stating:

“So far, 46 patients have been discharged after their conditions stabilized. Among them are 11 women and 35 men. However, 13 individuals have been referred to KCMC for further evaluation.”

Dr. Alexandra also confirmed that there has been no increase in the death toll related to either incident, and that all remaining patients continue to receive appropriate medical care.

In a statement released by the ELCT Pare Diocese, a special memorial service will be held today at the Cathedral Church of the Diocese. The event will be led by the Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner, Nurdin Babu, who will join hundreds of mourners in bidding farewell to the six departed choir members.