MourningSchool bus accident:
Tanzania Remembers the Karatu School Bus Tragedy
A Nation’s Darkest Day
Eight years after the Karatu bus crash that killed 32 children, two teachers, and a driver,
Tanzania still mourns one of its worst tragedies. On May 6, 2017,
a school bus from Lucky Vincent Primary in Arusha lost control on a mountain road and plunged into a ravine.
Shock and Mourning
The nation was devastated. Radio and TV stations paused broadcasts,
and President John Magufuli declared national mourning. Vigils and prayers were held across the country.
Survivors and Hope
Amid the wreckage, three children — Wilson, Sadia, and Doreen —
were found alive and flown to the U.S. for treatment.
Their recovery became a symbol of hope and resilience.
Lasting Lessons
The tragedy sparked calls for safer roads and stricter transport rules.
Each year, flowers and prayers at the Karatu memorial remind Tanzania: such loss must never happen again.
