CHAN 2024: Bus Carrying Fans to Opening Match Catches Fire

A bus carrying fans to the opening of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Dar es Salaam caught fire early this morning.

The incident occurred around 6:58 am in the Bushini area of Kwimba District, Mwanza Region. The Eicher bus, registered as T 284 EFJ and owned by the Misungwi District Teachers' Union, was transporting 45 passengers to the tournament. All passengers escaped unharmed.

Mwanza Regional Police Commander DCP Wilbrod Mutafungwa confirmed the incident. He reported that the vehicle began emitting heavy smoke before bursting into flames. The driver, noticing the danger, stopped the bus and ensured all passengers disembarked safely.

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“Thankfully, there were no fatalities or injuries. The Police Force commends the quick response of bystanders who helped before police and firefighters arrived,” said Mutafungwa as per The Guardian.

Preliminary investigations suggest an electrical fault caused the fire. Further investigations are underway in cooperation with other government authorities.

Tanzania, alongside Kenya and Uganda, is making history as co-hosts of CHAN 2024, marking the first time the tournament is jointly held by three East African nations.

The main stadiums for the CHAN 2024 matches in Tanzania are the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam and the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar, both of which have undergone significant upgrades to meet CAF standards.

The prestigious opening ceremony and the tournament's inaugural match will also take place in Tanzania, at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on August 2, 2025.

Tanzania has been drawn into Group B and will compete against Madagascar, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic. They will kick off their campaign against Burkina Faso.

Tanzania has participated in CHAN on three previous occasions, in 2009, 2011, and 2020. However, they have never progressed beyond the group stage, and this edition, being on home soil, they will be looking to make a mark.