FIFTY FOUR PEOPLE WERE KILLED AND 20 OTHERS INJURED WHEN A BUS PLUNGED INTO A RIVER IN NORTHERN TANZANIA ON FRIDAY, A SENIOR REGIONAL OFFICIAL SAID. ABBAS KANDORO, THE ARUSHA REGIONAL COMMISSIONER, SAID THE BUS WAS CARRYING 74 PEOPLE -- ALMOST THREE TIMES THE LEGALLY ALLOWED 26. "THERE WERE SOME (PEOPLE) THAT WERE STANDING, PLUS CARGO ON TOP," HE SAID. "IT IS NOT ALLOWED WITHIN THE LAW BECAUSE THE BUS'S CAPACITY IS 26 PASSENGERS." HE SAID THE BUS PLUNGED AROUND 9 METRES INTO THE MERERANI RIVER. "THE BUS WAS CARRYING 74 PASSENGERS. FIFTY FOUR PEOPLE HAVE DIED," HE ADDED. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED NEAR ARUSHA, ABOUT 470 KM (300 MILES) NORTHWEST OF DAR ES SALAAM.
