Tabora residents gather outside the Utete Regional Hospital mortuary yesterday to identify the bodies of 19 children who died in a disco on Wednesday.
By Vicent Mnyanyika, Dar, and Robert Kakwesi, Tabora
The nation was in deep shock and mourning yesterday, following the news of a horrendous disco hall stampede during the Eid el Fitr celebrations in Tabora town on Wednesday evening, in which 19 children perished and 16 others were hospitalised.
Twelve of those admitted had been treated and discharged by last evening, leaving behind four with serious injuries. The stampede was apparently caused by some panic in the overcrowded hall.
The children, aged between seven and 18 years, died in the incident in the disco hall, where they had gone to make merry in festivities marking the end of Ramadan, the month-long fast for Muslims.
President Jakaya Kikwete yesterday ordered a thorough investigation into the incident, as he dispatched Labour and employment minister Juma Kapuya to coordinate the burials of the dead children on behalf of the Government.
President Kikwete, expressing his utter shock and sympathy, sent his condolences to the families of the dead through Tabora Regional Commissioner Abeid Mwinyimusa.
He said stern action would be taken against those, who through negligence, may have caused the deaths of the young people. Mr Mwinyimusa announced that two employees of the club had been picked up for questioning.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the children may have died of suffocation in the hall, which appears to have admitted double its capacity. Initial reports indicate that there were nearly 400 people in the hall.
Yesterday, as it dawned on the country that the incident could be one of the worst during Eid el Fitr celebrations, the Government formed a team to investigate the causes and circumstances so that appropriate action can be taken against the culprits.
Tabora town was engulfed in scenes of anguish, wailing and disbelief, as families began to collect their dead ones from Kitete hospital for burial.
Some parents, who were not aware that their children had sneaked to Bubbles disco club, awoke to a rude shock, on learning of and confirming that their own were among the dead.
RC Mwinyimusa released the names of the dead as Veronica Maningu, 7, Beatrice Makelele, 14, Jacob Gerald, 12, Salima Hamis, 12, Khadija Waziri, 13, Rehema Fulgence, 11, Mrisho Suleiman, 9, and Abdallah Rehani, 14.
Prof Kapuya, who led a team of fellow senior government officials, including Speaker of the National Assembly Samuel Sitta, to the scene, said there was evidence of human error in the tragedy.
"The incident has shocked the country and robbed the nation of its future leaders," said Prof Kapuya.
Mr Mwinyimusa said seven people have been appointed to the committee, which will include a government lawyer, the regional head of intelligence, police, building contractors, the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB), regional cultural officer and one representative of the families.
The Government also announced the release of more than Sh20 million as compensation for the bereaved families.
Prof Kapuya said the President had approved payment from the central government of Sh500, 000 every dead child, while the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), which owns the building in which the club is located, will also donate a similar amount. Tabora regional authorities will top up the donation with Sh50,000 for each dead victim.
The opposition party Chama cha Demokrasia (Chadema) youth wing sent a message of condolence, but said police should explain why underage children were allowed into the disco hall, contrary to law.
"Police must make sure that all the laws, including that barring children from going to clubs, are enforced," read a statement issued in Dar es Salaam and signed by Mr John Mnyika.
Legal action must be taken against all those who will be found guilty, said Mr Mnyika, the general secretary of the Chadema youth wing.
Tabora residents, who spoke to The citizen, said they had filed complaints against the club with the local authorities but no action had been taken.
Mr Okonyo Galasi, who lost two children, said parents had written a letter to the local cultural officer complaining that the club posed a danger to the residents.
"First the club is along the Tabora highway and is often packed though its ventilation is not good," said Mr Galasi.
National Assembly Speaker Sitta sent his condolences, as did his wife, Mrs Magreth Sitta, who is the minister of Community Development Children and Gender.
Others included the minister of state in the Prime Minister's office TAMISEMI, Ms Selina Kombani, the Deputy Minister of Defence and Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF), Mr Emmanuel Nchimbi, MPs from Tabora region and the CCM Secretary-General, Mr Yusufu Makamba.
