ARUSHA, Tanzania, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Eight family members died after a van they were traveling in collided with a passenger bus in southwestern Tanzania's region of Mbeya, police said on Monday.

Mussa Talib, acting Mbeya Regional Police Commander, said the head-on collision occurred at Igodima area, Mwasekwa ward in Mbeya City at around 11 a.m. (local time).

"The ninth passenger on the van survived, but sustained serious injuries and was rushed to Mbeya Zonal Referral Hospital for treatment," said Talib, adding that all passengers of the bus were unhurt.

The regional police chief said the nine family members including the driver had driven from Chunya district in the region to Mbeya city to attend the funeral of their relative who had died days ago.

"The cause of the accident is reckless driving by both drivers: the bus driver was on the wrong side of the road while his counterpart behind the wheels the van was speeding," Talib said.

Monday's crash adds to the long list of deadly accidents that have claimed multiple lives of Tanzanians in various parts of the country with reasons being mainly reckless driving.

On Wednesday night last week, 12 people were killed and 46 others injured in a road accident when a bus, carrying 57 passengers, collided head-on with a lorry in western Tanzania's region of Tabora.

Road accidents that kill thousands of Tanzanians each year. The authorities have issued statements and promised to end the carnage, but with little success.