DAR ES SALAAM, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- The government of Tanzania said on Monday it was deeply saddened by the deaths of four tourists, a guide and a driver in the East African nation's tourist region of Arusha.
The accident on Sunday killed four Italian and Spanish tourists, their Tanzanian tour guide and driver after their vehicle collided head on with a lorry at Nanja in Monduli district, about 65 kilometers from Arusha city.
Deputy Minister for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism Japhet Hasunga said in a statement that the government was deeply saddened by the tragedy.
The tourists and their tour guide and driver were travelling from Arusha city to Tarangire National Park.
Iddi Kimanta, Monduli District Commissioner, said on Sunday the accident occurred at Nanja area in Monduli district, about 65 kilometers from Arusha city on the slopes of Mount Meru, Africa's fourth highest mountain.
"The vehicle that was carrying the tourists has been reduced to a mangled wreckage ... it's a very serious accident," said Kimanta.
Arusha region boasts of several tourist attractions, including the Serengeti National Park, the Lake Manyara National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, attracting tourists from across the world.
