DAR ES SALAAM, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania's Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) announced increases in retail fuel prices on Wednesday amid a price crisis that has gripped the country since late February, when conflict in the Middle East broke out.

According to EWURA, effective Wednesday, the retail price of petrol in Dar es Salaam has risen to 4,115 Tanzanian shillings (about 1.56 U.S. dollars) per liter, while diesel reached 4,248 shillings and kerosene 4,677 shillings.

These represent monthly increases of 7.7 percent for petrol, 11.6 percent for diesel, and 27 percent for kerosene.

While Free on Board prices for refined petroleum rose by 6.2 percent for petrol and 5.4 percent for diesel, local costs have been driven higher by shilling depreciation and rising freight and insurance charges, EWURA said in a statement.

Since January, Tanzanians have faced staggering cumulative increases.

The price of petrol has climbed 48.1 percent from 2,778 shillings per liter, diesel is up 55.8 percent from 2,726 shillings, and kerosene has surged 69.3 percent from 2,763 shillings, according to the statement.

The transport sector faces severe strain, with commuter bus operators and transport companies warning that regulated fares no longer cover costs. Meanwhile, online taxi drivers report spending a quarter of their income on fuel. ■