MourningSchool bus accident: 32 children lost… See more

8 Years After the Karatu School Bus Disaster That Took 32 Young Lives, “We Still Remember”

First published in May of 2017
Reprinted in June 2025

Eight years have passed since the Karatu school bus accident, which killed 32 children, two teachers, and a bus driver, was one of Tanzania’s most catastrophic tragedies. The nation is still plagued by the memory of that fateful morning on May 6, 2017, which sank the country into grief and opened a permanent chapter of mourning in Tanzanian history.

A proud moment in their early academic careers, the pupils from Lucky Vincent Primary School in Arusha were en route to take a mock national exam. However, that assurance was tragically broken when the school bus in the mountainous Karatu district lost control on a wet road. The car swerved off the road and fell into a gully. A scene of unfathomable loss was discovered during rescue operations.

The nation quickly became aware of the accident. To cover the developing tragedy, national radio, television, and newspapers halted their regular programming. Tanzanians nationwide observed vigils, ceremonies, and prayers in support of the bereaved families during the period of national mourning that President John Magufuli had declared.

The country was united in compassion as well as grief. Three students—Wilson, Sadia, and Doreen—were discovered alive among the debris. The three survivors, who were critically hurt but still alive, were subsequently transported to the US for cutting-edge medical care. Their tale, which was hailed as miraculous, won over hearts all over the world and came to represent fortitude and tenacity in the face of unfathomable loss.

The tragedy sparked discussions about transportation reforms and road safety in the years that followed. The government promised to improve road conditions in rural areas, strengthen oversight of driver qualifications, and tighten regulations pertaining to school transportation. Even though there has been uneven progress, Karatu’s memory serves as a sobering reminder of the stakes.

At the memorial site close to Karatu, flowers are still placed today. Families, educators, and classmates continue to recite the names of the lost children, remembering them not only as victims but also as students, dreamers, and beloved sons and daughters.

The pain has lessened but not gone away after eight years. When we reprint the

Related Posts

I WAS SHOWERING IN MY HOTEL ROOM WHEN I REALIZED I WASN’T ALONE

I never imagined my relaxing hotel shower would turn into a moment straight out of a thriller. But that’s exactly what happened. I was rinsing my hair,…

My SIL Reprogrammed My Oven So the Christmas Turkey Would Burn and Embarrass Me in Front of Guests

My sister-in-law always had a way of making me feel like I didn’t belong, but this Christmas, she crossed a line I never saw coming — and…

Woman k3lls her

The murder case of Raja Raghuvanshi: What began as a romantic honeymoon in the picturesque Meghalayan hills has evolved into a compelling criminal case involving marriage, deceit,…

On our wedding anniversary, my husband put something in my glass. I decided to replace it with his sister’s glass.

My husband put something in my glass on the anniversary of our marriage. I chose to use his sister’s glass in its place. My husband raised his…

There is one thing you must unplug every time it rains or thunders.

Not just the weather is thrilling when thunder roars and lightning strikes. Your priceless electronics could be at risk if the electrical system in your house turns…

The Right Answer

“I’ll give two dollars to the child who can tell me who the most famous man in history was,” the teacher said. “It was St. Patrick,” an…