Delayed News of 45 Deaths at Tanzania Leader's Memorial Slammed

Authorities in Tanzania took more than a week to confirm that 45 people died in a stampede on March 21, 2021 at a memorial for late president John Magufuli. On March 29, Dar es Salaam police commander Lazaro Mambosasa said 37 people were injured in the incident at Uhuru Stadium, but all had been discharged from hospital. "They went to the stadium in order to express their love for their departed leader but because the number of people was huge, some became impatient and opted to using unofficial entry points and that was how the problem occurred," Mambosasa said. Voice of America reports that human rights activists are demanding those behind the tragedy and the delay of information be held accountable. 

Magufuli died at the Mzena Memorial Hospital in Dar es Salaam on March 17, and was laid to rest at his home town on March 26. The burial took place after Tanzanians had paid their last respects in Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Zanzibar and Mwanza.