Seven students were confirmed dead while 82 were seriously injured after being struck by lightning at Businda secondary School in Bukombe District, Tanzania.
The incident was confirmed by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu who noted in a statement posted on X.
According to the Tanzanian President, the incident occurred on Tuesday January 28, 2025 in the evening.
“Nimepokea kwa masikitiko taarifa ya ajali ya radi iliyosababisha vifo vya wanafunzi 7 na kujeruhi wengine 82 katika Shule ya Sekondari Businda, Wilaya ya Bukombe, Mkoa wa Geita.
Natoa pole kwa Mbunge wa Jimbo la Bukombe na Naibu wa Waziri Mkuu Mheshimiwa Dkt. Doto Mashaka Biteko, ndugu jamaa na marafiki kwa msiba huu.
Mwenyezi Mungu awarehemu wote waliopoteza maisha katika ajali hii, na awajalie majeruhi wote kupona kwa haraka,” stated President Samia Suluhu.
The incident happened at a time when Tanzania was hosting Africa Heads of States Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam.
The summit was attended by several African Presidents including William Ruto (Kenya), Bola Tinubu (Nigeria), Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank and Ajay Banga President of the World Bank.
Kenya’s former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who is also a candidate for the African Union Commission chairperson position, was among invited guests at the Summit.
