Five students from Chalangwa Secondary School, located in Chunya District Council, Mbeya Region, died in a tragic road accident during a morning jogging exercise today July 26, 2025.

The accident involved a Safina Coach Company bus and also left nine other students injured.

Acting Regional Police Commander Wilbert Siwa said proper safety measures must be followed during road jogging, including having someone at the front and another at the rear wearing reflective gear and holding flags to alert drivers and prevent accidents.

Commander Siwa explained that the accident occurred at around 5:00 a.m. along the Chunya–Mbeya highway when the bus, registration number T 194 DCE, travelling from Chunya to Mbeya City, ran into the students.

He said five students died on the spot while nine others sustained injuries. Two of the injured were treated and discharged, while seven are still receiving treatment at Chalangwa Health Centre.

He added that the bus driver fled the scene after the accident and that police are continuing to search for him, as his identity is known.

"This tragedy was caused by the recklessness of the bus driver who was heading to Mbeya. We urge all drivers to observe road safety regulations, and we also advise anyone engaging in road exercises to follow safety guidelines to avoid such incidents," he said.

Chunya District Commissioner Baraka Batenga issued an immediate ban on students jogging along public roads, directing that such exercises be conducted within school grounds instead.

"We must learn from these incidents. From today (yesterday), it is strictly forbidden for students to jog along the roads, and this applies to the entire district. All jogging groups in Chunya District are prohibited from using the highway," he declared.

He said the government will cover all medical expenses for the injured as well as burial costs for the deceased.

The school’s Headmaster, Onesmo Elia, said the students had been participating in regular Saturday jogging routines. The tragic incident occurred as they were waiting for instructions from their teachers before starting the run, when the bus suddenly ran into them.

The students who lost their lives were identified as Seleman Ernest, Samwel Zambi, Kelvin Mwasamba, Hosea Mbwilo, and Amina Ulaya.

The injured are Benard Mashaka, Lilian Raymond, Kenedy Masoud, Vicent Baraka, Siwema Nasibi, Alex Peter, Dethani Adam, Getruda Mwakyoma, and Farida Mwasongole.