Fourteen (14) people including six journalists died on Tuesday morning after a horrific road accident in Simiyu, Tanzania.

The accident involved a personal car and a public service vehicle (PSV).

The six journalists travelling on the personal vehicle,a Toyota Land Cruiser were among a team heading to Bunda to cover an event by the Mwanza Regional Commissioner Eng. Robert Gabriel.

The Land Cruiser transporting the journalists rammed an oncoming PSV, killing five of the journalists on the spot. The sixth journalist died while receiving treatment at a local hospital.

The journalists who died have been identified as Van Charles from Icon TV, Abel Ngapemba, Husna Mlanzi from ITV, Anthony Chuwa from Habari Leo Digital, Regional communication officer,  Steven Msengi, Ukerewe Communications officer and Paul Silanga, the driver.

The accident also claimed the lives of eight passengers who were aboard the PSV. Six died at the scene, the two succumbed to their injuries in hospital.

Tanzania President Samia Suluhu was forced to cut short her speech in Zanzibar where she was presiding over an official function, to break the news to the public and called for a moment of silence for the victims.

"Nimeshtushwa na vifo vya Watu 14 wakiwemo Wanahabari 6 vilivyotokea leo asubuhi baada ya gari lililokuwa katika msafara wa Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Mwanza kugonga na Daladala. Poleni Wafiwa, Wanahabari na jamaa wote. Mungu aziweke mahali pema roho za Marehemu na Majeruhi wapone haraka." she said.

Kenya Correspondents Association (KCA) Chairman who is also the Secretary Congress of African Journalists (CAJ), William Janak termed the deaths as big loss to Tanzania's media fraternity.

"On behalf of KCA and Congres of African Journalists "CAJ) wish to send our deepest condolences to JOWUTA and all journalists in Tanzania following the death of six journalists in an accident in Tanzania's Northern City of Mwanza. Poleni sana." said Janak