2. 25 2024  Richard D. Hunt 2024 K-LOVE News

Reports from Tanzania say that at least 25 people died when a large construction truck collided with a number of vehicles in the Ngaramtoni, Arusha region. An initial finding suggested the truck’s brakes failed.

Among those who lost their lives were 11 Youth With A Mission leaders and students on a field trip, along with local YWAMers. Eight others are hospitalized.

From YWAM office in Kona, Hawaii:

Local and international leaders from YWAM are gathering to support the team on the ground, who are now faced with many details of repatriation, medical evacuation, family support, funeral arrangements, and many other logistics.  We invite you to help with these expenses with an opportunity to give on the following link. The estimated cost of all of these arrangements is approximately $350,000. Thank you to those who are already contributing.  

Thank you for helping to ease the financial burden for those bearing the weight of this significant loss to our family in Africa.  Your ongoing prayers and sensitivity are much appreciated.  

Here’s the latest information officially released by YWAM:

“Many of you may now have heard of the tragedy that took place on the 24th of February in Arusha. Leaders and students involved in the Executive Masters Program were on a field trip with other local YWAMers. One mini-bus was struck and overrun by a large truck with failing brakes.

It is with great sadness that we confirm friends and coworkers have passed away. Below are the names of those who have gone to be with Jesus, and for security purposes, their full names and nationalities have been kept confidential.

• Claire M. 
• Zebulon T. 
• Emmanuel D. 
• Vicent ??K. 
• John M. 
• Blaise G. 
• Ime E. 
• Andrew D. 
• Chimene D. 
• Lova R. 
• Lordienne N. 

Those who are currently in hospital and in critical condition are:

• Mathurin B.
• Joelle Z.

Those who are in the hospital and in stable condition are:

• Paul Dav. 
• Isaac B. 
• Janet F. 
• Cyrille A. 
• Benjamin N. 
• Paulo M. 

All others out on the field trip with the Master intensive are safely back at the Arusha YWAM Base. If your friends do not appear on this list, they were not in the accident.

A team of leaders on the ground in Arusha, Tanzania, a crisis response team in Kona, Hawaii, and other key leaders have been working nonstop to respond in a loving, compassionate, and responsible way to this tragedy that impacts so many of us. Thank you for your ongoing prayers and sensitivity during this emotional time.”

Brett Curtis, on behalf of our Crisis Response Team, our Founder, Darlene Cunningham, and ExecMAL leader, David Hamilton

Prayers are especially needed for Mathurin B. and Joelle Z. who are hospitalized in critical condition.