TWO people died in separate incidents in Dar es Salaam on Monday, including a six-year old child who was found dead inside a parked vehicle at Magomeni Kagera near a bus stop in Kinondoni district.

Police confirmed the death of the child in dubious circumstances but said that the cause of death was suffocation after lacking fresh air while trapped in the vehicle. Kinondoni Regional Police Commander (RPC), Mr Charles Kenyela said the child was found dead in a vehicle with registration numbers T 340 AXP owned by Abdallah Rashid Mohammed who was also driving the same that day.

According to eyewitness accounts, the boy was playing with other children around the area the car was parked and managed to sneak his way into the vehicle while it was parked. "While inside the car, it is said that the child accidentally locked the doors of the car, trapping him long enough to suffocate and lose his life," Mr Kenyela said.

The deceased's body is preserved at Muhimbili National Hospital (MHN) mortuary as police continue with investigations. Meanwhile, Temeke Regional Police Commander, Mr Englibert Kiondo said yesterday a man identified as Dulla Muhagama (23) was found drowned on the Indian Ocean at Vijibweni area in Temeke district.

"The man is a native of Kyela district in Mbeya region and his body was found floating on the ocean's waters without any bodily injuries," said Mr Kiondo. It is said that on Sunday before turning up drowned the deceased had gone to the ocean for a swim with a couple of friends and then he disappeared in the water.

The body of the deceased is preserved at Vijibweni hospital pending burial arrangements and police are investigating the matter.