National MourningSchool bus acci.dent…
Eight Years On: Remembering the Karatu Tragedy
On May 6, 2017, tragedy struck Tanzania when a school bus from Lucky Vincent Primary School crashed in Karatu, killing 32 students, two teachers, and a driver. The children had been on their way to take a mock national exam—a major milestone in their education. Due to rainy conditions, the bus lost control and plunged into a ravine.
A Nation in Mourning
The accident shocked the entire country. TV, radio, and newspapers interrupted regular programs to report the devastating news. President John Magufuli declared national mourning. Communities held vigils and prayers to honor the lives lost. As the article puts it, the day “marked a permanent chapter of mourning in Tanzania’s history.”
Hope in the Midst of Loss
Amid the wreckage, three children—Wilson, Sadia, and Doreen—were found alive but critically injured. They were flown to the U.S. for treatment. Their survival was hailed as miraculous and offered a sliver of hope. “Their story… became a symbol of strength and survival amid overwhelming loss.”
