“We Still Remember” — 8 Years Since the Karatu School Bus Tragedy

On May 6, 2017, Tanzania was shaken by one of its darkest days—the Karatu school bus accident that claimed 32 children, two teachers, and a driver from Lucky Vincent Primary School. The young students were on their way to sit for a mock national exam when their bus lost control on a rain-slick mountain road in Karatu, plunging into a ravine.

The tragedy gripped the nation. President John Magufuli declared national mourning as vigils, prayers, and ceremonies united Tanzanians in grief. News outlets suspended programming, capturing a country brought to its knees by loss.

Amid the devastation, three students—Wilson, Sadia, and Doreen—survived. Severely injured, they were flown to the United States for treatment, their survival hailed as miraculous and a beacon of hope.

Eight years later, flowers still rest at the memorial, and the children’s names remain etched in memory. This tragedy not only sparked dialogue on road safety but also became a lasting reminder of fragile young lives cut short.