Nairobi, October 23- An electric train operating on Tanzania’s Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) line to the capital, Dodoma, derailed on Thursday morning due to what officials described as “operational hitches.”
The Tanzania Railway Corporation (TRC), which manages the service, said three carriages went off the tracks around 8 a.m. near Ruvu station, while en route from Dar es Salaam. No fatalities or injuries were reported, though train operations were temporarily suspended.
“A team of technical experts led by the transport secretary, TRC managing director, and security agencies has launched a comprehensive investigation to identify the cause and restore normal operations as soon as possible,” TRC said in a statement, apologizing for the disruption.
The 541-kilometre SGR line between Dar es Salaam and Dodoma was launched in August 2024. Constructed by Turkish firm Yapi Merkezi at a cost of $3.1 billion, it forms part of a planned 2,561-kilometre regional railway network aimed at boosting transport and trade with neighbouring countries.
While cargo operations began in June this year, the line has faced occasional delays and stoppages linked to power supply challenges, highlighting the need to strengthen supporting infrastructure such as stable electricity.
