Dozens die in Tanzania bus horror

The bus was weighed down by extra passengers and luggage

An overcrowded bus has plunged into a river gorge in northern Tanzania killing 54 people and injuring 20 more in the second road disaster in days.

The bus was travelling from Mererani to Arusha when it spun out of control on a bridge and fell into the Malala river.

Police said the vehicle had seats for 26 people but 74 passengers were aboard, some of them standing.

Earlier 28 people riding in a lorry died when it overturned.

The cause of Friday's bus accident is not yet known but one unconfirmed report suggests it may have been speeding.

"There were some [people] that were standing, plus cargo on top," said Abbas Kandoro, Arusha's regional commissioner.

"It is not allowed within the law because the bus's capacity is 26 passengers."

Correspondents say that road accidents are common in Tanzania.

Police usually blame them on violations of traffic regulations, bad roads, poor vehicle maintenance or exhaustion among long-distance drivers.