Moshi — FIVE school teachers died in a road accident on Monday night, two on the spot, after the motor vehicle they were travelling collided with a lorry along Moshi-Arusha Highway.

The accident occurred near Kikavu Bridge in Hai District, Kilimanjaro Region, at about 8.30 pm and initial reports say that the teachers were returning to school after attending the funeral of a student. Regional Police Commander (RPC Mr Robert Boaz said that five other people were injured in the accident.

Two of the casualties were treated and discharged while the remaining three have been admitted at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) for further treatment. The deceased were all employees of Scholastica School of Himo Township in Moshi Rural District and four have been identified by the police as Ernest Ambani (48), Bernard Amukunyu (32), Joseph Opoloti and Nely Sasaka (37), whom were Kenyan nationals.

A Tanzanian identified as Julius Kimario (28) also perished in the accident. Mr Boaz said the accident involved a Toyota Hiace mini-bus with registration numbers T 771 AQD, property of Scholastica School and driven by Alex Mosha (54) and a lorry of Scania make with registration numbers T 653 AAJ, property of Bonite Bottlers of Moshi.

According to the police, the mini-bus was heading to Moshi from Arusha and the lorry was on its way to Arusha from Moshi. The RPC cautioned drivers against reckless driving to save innocent lives, adding that the police are investigating the cause of the accident. The incident has occurred hardly four days after another tragic accident caused the death of nine people in Iringa region.