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Hundreds of Magufuli supporters entered the Dar es Salaam airport to try to see his coffin.
A woman and four children were killed after a stampede as Tanzanians mourn former President John Magufuli, police told the BBC.
Some reports say the death toll could reach 40, but authorities have not confirmed this.
Tens of thousands of people had turned up at a Dar es Salaam stadium to see the former president’s body.
Nicknamed the bulldozer, Magufuli was popular with many Tanzanians for his no-nonsense style of government.
Critics, however, accused him of being an autocrat and of repressing dissent.
It also downplayed the effects of the coronavirus and stopped the publication of the country’s case and death numbers. Opposition politicians say Magufuli died of Covid-19, but this has not been confirmed.
‘Overwhelming pain’
Dennis Mtuwa’s wife, two of his children, a nephew and a niece have been confirmed among the dead after Sunday’s stampede, reports Salim Kikeke of the Dar es Salaaam BBC.
“These last 24 hours have been really difficult for me. I feel relieved when I am surrounded by people, but when I am alone, the amount of pain becomes overwhelming, “Mtuwa told the BBC.
The city’s police commander, Lazaro Mambosasa, said he would release more details on Tuesday.
On Monday, thousands of Tanzanians attended Magufuli’s state funeral in the capital Dodoma, which was attended by several African leaders who paid enthusiastic tributes.
The continent was “saddened by the death of a revolutionary,” said Felix Tshisekedi de Magufuli of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who died last week of heart complications at the age of 61.
Tanzania’s new president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, remembered her predecessor as an advocate for the poor and a religious man.
“He was not only our leader, but also the guardian and father of many … and an honest man,” said President Samia.
The Tanzanian leaders who attended the funeral and most of the thousands of people at Dodoma Stadium did not wear masks or observe social distancing – health measures the late president often scoffed at.
However, visiting leaders and other delegations wore masks.
He will be buried in his hometown of Chato, in the northwest of the country, on Friday.
What did the African leaders say?
Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi said the former Tanzanian president “will remain in the hearts” of many.
In his tribute, the President of Malawi, Lazarus Chakwera, referred to Mr. Magufuli as “the best son of Africa” whose “life of service” would be remembered.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa described him as a “true pan-Africanist” who made no apologies for being African.
Ramaphosa remembered the former president for being a “warrior” against corruption and for working for his people.
He also said that the President of Tanzania was an advocate for African culture and traditions, especially the use of Swahili, the lingua franca of East Africa, across the continent.
“Swahili has been introduced into South African schools as an honor to the late President John Magufuli, who insisted on its use,” Ramaphosa said.
This was echoed by the president of Botswana, Mokgweetsi Masese, who said that Mr. Magufuli was a “great teacher”, like the founding president of Tanzania, Julius Nyerere.
“Even in Botswana I expected us to speak Swahili … We too have introduced Swahili into our curricula.”
In his tribute, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta also addressed Magufuli’s successor and said: “For you, my sister and now my counterpart, our brother, President Magufuli, has shown you the way.”
“The Democratic Republic of the Congo and the African Union together are saddened by the death of the revolutionary Dr. John Magufuli. We pray for the Tanzanians. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is with you in this difficult period, ”said President Tshisekedi, who is the current president of the African Union.
