Eight years have passed since Tanzania’s Karatu school bus tragedy, which claimed the lives of 32 children, two teachers, and a bus driver. The nation still mourns the events of May 6, 2017 — “a day that plunged the nation into sorrow.”

The victims were students from Lucky Vincent Primary School in Arusha, traveling to take a mock national examination — a milestone in their academic journey. Their excitement and hopes ended abruptly when the bus lost control on a rain-slicked, mountainous road in Karatu district.

The vehicle veered off the road and plunged into a ravine, leaving behind a scene described as “unimaginable loss.” Rescue teams worked in difficult conditions, but the accident left no chance for survival.

The incident shocked the nation and drew condolences from around the world. It remains one of Tanzania’s darkest days, etched deeply into the collective memory.

Today, the Karatu tragedy serves as a somber reminder of life’s fragility and the enduring grief of the families who lost their children. “We still remember” has become the unifying phrase honoring their memory.