A head-on collision between two trucks along the Morogoro-Iringa highway early Friday left one person burned to death, injured two others and disrupted traffic after one of the vehicles caught fire and spilled sulphur onto the road.
Morogoro Regional Police said preliminary investigations indicate that the accident was caused by the driver of a FAW truck carrying sand, who allegedly veered into the opposite lane and collided with an oncoming Scania truck at Mafiga in Morogoro Municipality.
The FAW truck was travelling from Lugono in Morogoro towards Chalinze, while the Scania truck, registration number T 7328 DQD, pulling trailer T 703 DVQ, was transporting sulphur from Dar es Salaam to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The impact caused the FAW truck to burst into flames, trapping one of its occupants, who died at the scene after being burned beyond recognition.
The driver of the Scania truck, Godfrey Samson Mushi, 42, and his conductor, Meshack Mushi, 24, sustained injuries and were taken for treatment.
Morogoro Regional Police Commander ACP Andrew Kantimbo said initial findings show that the FAW truck driver crossed into the opposite lane without taking the necessary precautions, leading to the collision.
"We urge all motorists to observe road safety regulations, avoid reckless overtaking and speeding, and ensure they are adequately rested before embarking on long-distance journeys," ACP Kantimbo said.
The crash occurred at about 5am, triggering panic among residents as flames engulfed one of the trucks and sulphur spilled onto the highway.
Residents who witnessed the accident called for greater caution among long-distance drivers, citing fatigue as a major road safety risk.
"When drivers begin to feel tired or sleepy, they should stop in a safe place and rest instead of continuing the journey. A short break can help restore concentration and prevent accidents," said Abdul Kamga, a resident of Mafiga.
Another witness, Juma Msangi, said residents rushed to the scene after hearing a loud bang.
"We found the trucks had collided and one of them was already on fire. People immediately tried to help, but the flames spread quickly," he said.
Police said investigations are continuing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the crash. The incident temporarily affected traffic along the busy Morogoro-Iringa highway as emergency responders secured the scene and cleared the spilled chemical.
