While attempting to land at an airport during bad weather, a Precision Air Plane has crashed into Lake Victoria in Tanzania.
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| Onlookers at the site of the crashed Precision passenger Air Plane at the shores of Lake Victoria in Bukoba, Tanzania. Photo: Kanyika/ @startvtanzania1 via Reuters via Al Jazeera |
According to an official, it is not yet known whether there were any deaths, however, 26 people have been rescued so far on Sunday.
Albert Chalmila, Regional Commissioner, disclosed, 43 people encompassing 39 passengers, 2 pilots and 2 cabin crew were onboard the plane.
Chalmila said, “as we speak, we have managed to rescue 26 people who were taken to our referral hospital. The rescue operation is still ongoing and we are communicating with the pilots.”
William Mwampaghale, Kagera Province Police Commander, revealed to journalists, the plane took off from Der-er-Salaam, the commercial capital, and “fell in the Lake Victoria this morning due to storm and heavy rains” in Bukoba.
“We have managed to save quite a number of people.
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| Rescuers around the tail fin of a crashed Precision passenger Air Plane on the shores of Lake Victoria in Bukoba, Tanzania. Photo: AYO TV via AP via Al Jazeera |
“When the aircraft was about 100 metres [328 feet] midair, it encountered problems and bad weather. It was raining and the plane plunged into the water. Everything is under control.”
President of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan, has pleaded for calm as rescue works continue.
She said: “I have received with sadness the news of the accident involving Precision Air’s plane. Let’s be calm at this moment when rescuers are continuing with the rescue mission while praying to God to help us.”
