VICTIMS of the midweek crash of two buses in Same, Kilimanjaro Region, now stand at 42, while DNA matching of bodies with relatives has been completed.

Regional Commissioner Nurdin Babu told journalists here yesterday that the public is invited to view the bodies today, paving the way for their dignified burial. 

The bodies are preserved at the KCMC regional referral hospital, he said, noting that the death toll now stands at 42, where 31 were in the Coaster bus, listed as 21 women and 10 men.  Eleven victims were in the Channel One bus, seven women and four men.

Altogether, 28 injured passengers were admitted to hospital, comprising 13 men and 15 women, with 24 already discharged from hospitals, and two unfortunately succumbed to their injuries during treatment. 

Currently, two individuals are hospitalized at KCMC and Same District hospital respectively, he said, extending profound gratitude to President Samia Suluhu Hassan for her swift and compassionate response. 

“The president personally covered all medical expenses for the injured and issued directives for funeral arrangements of 36 victims,” he said.

The Saturday evening accident occurred at Sabasaba area, an outlying highway point some four kilometers to Same town, involving a large passenger bus operated by Channel One Co.( T 179 CWL) and a Toyota Coaster (T 199 EFX) held by Mwami Trans, the Coaster on the way to Moshi while the big bus was en route to Tanga.

The RC said regional health officials had already received the DNA results from the Chief Government Chemist early yesterday, thus the handing over exercise to relatives is slated for today at the KCMC.

The government will further support the bereaved families by covering the costs of coffins, shrouds and transportation of the deceased', providing a specific amount of money to each family to facilitate the burials, he added.