Eight Years After the Karatu School Bus Tragedy, Tanzania Still Mourns Its Lost Children

Eight years after the devastating Karatu school bus disaster that claimed 32 students, two teachers, and a driver, Tanzania continues to grieve. The tragedy, which occurred on May 6, 2017, remains one of the darkest moments in the nation’s history.

The students from Lucky Vincent Primary School in Arusha were traveling to take a mock national exam when their bus lost control on a slippery road in the mountainous Karatu district. The vehicle plunged into a ravine, leaving behind a heartbreaking scene that stunned the nation.

In the days that followed, Tanzania came together in shared sorrow. Then-President John Magufuli declared a national mourning period as citizens held vigils and prayers for the victims’ families. Miraculously, three children — Wilson, Sadia, and Doreen — survived and were flown to the U.S. for advanced treatment, becoming enduring symbols of resilience.

The tragedy prompted promises of road safety reforms and stricter school transport regulations. Yet, as flowers still adorn the Karatu memorial, the pain lingers. Eight years later, Tanzania remembers — not just the tragedy, but the young lives and dreams it silenced too soon.