DAR ES SALAAM, Sept 9 (Reuters) - At least 27 people were killed when a bus and a lorry collided in southern Tanzania, local newspapers reported on Sunday.

The accident on Saturday occurred near the town of Mbeya, about 630 km (391 miles) southwest of Dar es Salaam.

"The bus was heading to Dar es Salaam from Tunduma and the accident occurred at around 8:30 a.m. (0530 GMT)," Mbeya Regional Traffic Officer Stephen Mwinamila was quoted as saying in the Sunday News.

The newspapers carried photos of the bus with its metal twisted and passengers' belongings strewn over the ground.

The papers said 14 women and 13 men were killed. Three of the dead were travelling in the lorry.

Road accidents involving buses have become a great concern in the east African country. In June, at least 36 people died in two crashes in different parts of the country.

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