Samia mourns ambassador who died in a car accident

Dar/Moshi. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has led Tanzanians in mourning the country’s envoy to Austria, Ambassador Celestine Mushy, who died in a car crash.

In a twitter message, the Head of State described the deceased as a brilliant diplomat.

“I have received with sadness the passing on of Ambassador Celestine Mushy, Tanzania’s envoy to Austria and our permanent representative to the international organisations, Vienna. We have lost a wonderful diplomat and a smart public servant. God rest him in peace. Amen,” reads her condolence message.

Ambassador Mushy died in an accident that occurred on Tuesday, December 13, after the car he was driving collided with a lorry before the two vehicles caught fire.

Reports on the collision went viral on social media with the intention of aiding identification of the car’s driver who died on the spot.

“An accident involving a Toyota Crown with registration number T 175 DMF has occurred at Mkata (Tanga Region). A woman who was driving the car owned by Celestine Joseph Mushy died at the scene. Widely circulate this message to as many groups as possible in order to avail the information to relatives.”

As the message went viral, relatives and friends started tracing the whereabouts of Ambassador Mushy by dialling his mobile numbers that however went unreachable. This is despite being told that he communicated with his wife, Ms Hadija Nyanjagi, informing her that he was travelling to Moshi.

“I have received similar information. However, I have sent someone at the scene to confirm what is being said, but you can also investigate,” said the envoy’s wife from her Kibosho home.

However, Handeni District Commissioner, Ms Siriel Mchembe confirmed the occurrence of the accident.

She said after being severely burned, Ambassador Mushy’s body could not be identified, therefore his remains were moved to a mortuary at the Handeni District Hospital for preservation.

“Relatives are travelling from Dar es Salaam to the hospital to collect the body,” she said.

Police are still looking into the accident’s cause, but initial reports indicate that the envoy’s automobile struck a lorry.

Reports from Dar es Salaam say he arrived at his home, collected two bags and drove away using the car that was identified at the scene.

When numbers had been circulated through whatsApp messages, the respondent said: “We have satisfied ourselves that it is Ambassador Mushy who was involved in the accident and not a woman.”

Who is Ambassador Mushy?

Ambassador Mushy was appointed Tanzania’s envoy in January, 2022 and submitted his credentials to the President of the Republic of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen, on May 5, this year. Before the appointment, he served as assistant Regional Administrative Secretary (RAS) in Mtwara Region after being appointed by then President John Magufuli. Prior to the appointment he served in different capacities at the ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Corporation including as the director of international relations.

Reported by Daniel Mjema (Moshi), Burhan Yakub (Tanga)