Eight years have passed since Tanzania suffered one of its most devastating tragedies: the Karatu school bus crash, which claimed the lives of 32 children, two teachers, and a driver. The memory of that fateful morning of May 6, 2017, still haunts the country, a day that plunged the nation into grief and marked a permanent chapter of mourning in Tanzania’s history.

Students from Lucky Vincent Primary School in Arusha were on their way to a national mock exam, a proud moment in their young academic journeys. But that promise was tragically cut short when their school bus lost control on a rain-slicked road in the mountainous Karatu district. The vehicle veered off the road and plunged into a ravine. Rescue efforts revealed a scene of unimaginable loss.

News of the accident spread rapidly throughout the country. Television, radio, and national newspapers suspended their regular programming to cover the tragedy. President John Magufuli declared a national day of mourning, and Tanzanians across the country held vigils, ceremonies, and prayers in solidarity with the grieving families.

At least 51 people died in a bus accident in Guatemala

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At least 51 people died and others were injured when a bus plunged into a polluted ravine outside Guatemala City, according to Guatemalan officials. [Mourning memorial products] [Best online courses]

Mynor Ruano, a spokesman for the city’s fire service, told reporters on Monday that efforts were underway to rescue others trapped in the rubble. The bodies of 36 men and 15 women were taken to a provincial morgue.

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The bus was traveling on a busy route in and out of Guatemala City on Monday when it fell off the Belice Bridge, a road bridge that crosses a highway and a stream.

Images shared by the fire department on social media showed rescuers pulling victims from the contaminated ravine. The images showed the overturned bus.

Bernardo Arévalo, the president of Guatemala, declared three days of national mourning and deployed the army and the disaster agency to help with the response efforts.

“I stand in solidarity with the families of the victims who woke up to heartbreaking news today,” he said. “Their pain is my pain.”

The President of the Guatemalan Congress also published a statement on social media lamenting the “tragic accident” where “more than forty Guatemalans lost their lives in search of their daily sustenance.”

The mayor of Guatemala City, Ricardo Quiñónez, reported on social media that emergency services were deployed while traffic police worked to establish alternate routes in the affected area.

The National Civil Police said it was supporting the search and rescue efforts and would provide “all necessary support”.