Bus plunges into river killing 19 in Tanzania

At least 19 people were killed and two others were injured when their mini bus plunged into a river in Tanzania's southern highland region of Mbeya.

The accident occurred on Friday when the bus carrying 21 people plying from Mbeya city to Kyela via Rungwe plunged into the Kiwira River, Xinhua reported.

Zainab Mbiro, Rungwe district commissioner, said the bus plunged into the river after its driver failed to control a sharp corner.

Mbeya regional police commander Ahmed Msangi said 18 of the victims died on the spot and one died while receiving treatment at a hospital.

He said two people including a bus conductor and a child survived in the accident while all the dead bodies have been recovered from the river.

The RPC linked the accident with over speeding as the area where the accident happened has a sharp corner and is prone to road carnages.

"We're still working on establishing the cause of the accident, " he said, adding that the van was overcrowded as the commuter models can seat up to 15 passengers.

Reports have it that the accident happened when bus operators in Mbeya region were in strike; hence no passenger bus was operating along the Tanzania-Malawi highway.

On Tuesday, police authorities in Tanzania said at least 866 people were killed and 2,336 others were injured in road accidents that occurred across the east African country between January and March this year.