16 MPs involved in an accident heading to Mombasa

At least 16 Tanzanian law makers and three parliamentary staff were Friday morning injured in a head on collision accident while heading to Mombasa for the East African Community (EAC) inter-parliamentary sports games.

Dodoma Regional Police Commander George Katabazi confirmed the incident and said it occurred in the Mbande area Kongwa district Dodoma region at around 2am.

The bus is said to have collided head-on with a lorry

Kenya national assembly speaker said no fatalities were reported

Preliminary police investigations indicate that the driver of the bus did not observe caution while overtaking leading to the collision.

At least 19 injuries were confirmed, including 16 lawmakers, two parliamentary staff and the driver of the bus.

They are currently receiving treatment at Benjamin Mkapa hospital, Dodoma regional referral hospital and Uhuru hospital in Tanzania.

“You will get better information once we get to Mombasa and this team of leaders who are involved in the management of the games will be able to appraise you,” the speaker said as he wished them quick recovery.

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The EAC games got underway on Friday, December 6 and will run until Wednesday, December 18.

About six venues will be used for the games with more venues for training identified for the eight sports disciplines including football, netball, volleyball, basketball, darts, athletics, tug-of-war and golf.

Venues for the games include the Mbaraki Stadium, which is undergoing renovation, Aga Khan Academy, KPA Makande Hall, Nyali Golf Club and Shanzu Teachers Training College.

Mbaraki Stadium will host football, athletics and tug-of-war, same as Shanzu TTC.

Aga Khan Academy will host netball, volleyball, basketball and darts for Persons with Disability (PWD), as will KPA Makande Hall.

Golf will be played at the Nyali Golf Club.

Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) and the host Kenya, confirmed their participation in the gamnes that are now in their 14th edition.

The opening ceremony for the games, which will be held on December 7, will be marked with a procession from the Office of Mombasa Governor to Mama Ngina Waterfront where speeches will be delivered.