FIVE people, including four Carmelite Missionary Sisters of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, have died in a tragic road accident in Misungwi District, Mwanza Region.

DCP Wilbroad Mutafungwa, the regional police commander, said yesterday that the accident took place around 1:50 a.m. the previous night and involved a Toyota Land Cruiser belonging to Bukumbi Girls’ Secondary School and a Sino Truck owned by Nyanza Road Works Co. along the Usagara-Kigongo Feri road, stunning the local community.

The deceased were identified as Sr. Nelina Semeoni (60) from Italy who serves as the superior general of the Carmelite Sisters worldwide, Sr. Lilian Kapongo (55) from Tabora, Sr. Damaris Matheka (51), a Kenyan national and headmistress of Bukumbi Girls’ Secondary School.

Others are Sr. Stellamaris Kamene (48) from Kenya and Boniphace Msonola (53), the driver of the vehicle, he stated. The Land Cruiser, traveling from Kigongo Feri, appears to have veered into the opposite lane and collided head-on with the truck, he said, noting that all five individuals in the Land Cruiser died at the scene.

Another passenger, Sr. Pauline Vicent (20), a student supervisor at the secondary school, sustained injuries and is currently receiving treatment at Bugando, a zonal referral hospital. The bodies of the deceased have been taken to the same hospital for preservation, he stated.

The truck driver, Venance Mashaka (61), has been taken into police custody for questioning with the RPC urging road users to exercise extreme caution, adhere to traffic regulations and avoid speeding to prevent similar tragedies.

Church sources noted that the Bukumbi community is in deep mourning over the loss of the nuns, who were highly respected for their contributions to education and religious service. The victims, particularly Sr. Nelina Semeoni, were known for their tireless efforts in expanding educational opportunities for girls in Tanzania and neighbouring countries.

Observers see this tragic event as highlighting the ongoing issue of road safety in Tanzania, where poor driving habits and road conditions contribute to frequent accidents.

Public authorities have repeatedly called for stricter enforcement of traffic laws and greater public awareness to protect the lives of motorists and passengers, with local leaders appealing for support for families of the victims as the police examine the cause of the crash.