Lake Victoria: 19 dead after small passenger plane crashes into lake in Tanzania

Pictures show the plane mostly submerged in the lake
By Matthew Mohan-Hickson
6th Nov 2022, 4:32pm
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A small passenger plane has crashed into Lake Victoria on approach to an airport in Africa, killing 19 people.

Tanzania’s Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa gave the new death toll, up from an original estimate of three casualties. Local authorities said 26 of the 43 people on board the Precision Air flight from the coastal city of Dar es Salaam had been rescued and taken to hospital after the plane crashed on approach to Bukoba Airport.

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Precision Air is a Tanzanian airline company. News reports showed photos of the plane mostly submerged in the lake.

Rescuers search for survivors after a Precision Air flight that was carrying 43 people plunged into Lake Victoria as it attempted to land in the lakeside town of Bukoba, Tanzania on November 6, 2022. - Three people died when a plane carrying dozens of passengers plunged into Lake Victoria in Tanzania on November 6, 2022, as it approached the northwestern city of Bukoba, the fire and rescue service said. Rescuers have pulled 26 survivors to safety after the Precision Air plane crashed due to bad weather, with 43 people, including 39 passengers, aboard flight PW 494 from the financial capital Dar es Salaam to the lakeside city, according to regional authorities. (Photo by SITIDE PROTASE / AFP) (Photo by SITIDE PROTASE/AFP via Getty Images)Rescuers search for survivors after a Precision Air flight that was carrying 43 people plunged into Lake Victoria as it attempted to land in the lakeside town of Bukoba, Tanzania on November 6, 2022. - Three people died when a plane carrying dozens of passengers plunged into Lake Victoria in Tanzania on November 6, 2022, as it approached the northwestern city of Bukoba, the fire and rescue service said. Rescuers have pulled 26 survivors to safety after the Precision Air plane crashed due to bad weather, with 43 people, including 39 passengers, aboard flight PW 494 from the financial capital Dar es Salaam to the lakeside city, according to regional authorities. (Photo by SITIDE PROTASE / AFP) (Photo by SITIDE PROTASE/AFP via Getty Images)
Rescuers search for survivors after a Precision Air flight that was carrying 43 people plunged into Lake Victoria as it attempted to land in the lakeside town of Bukoba, Tanzania on November 6, 2022. - Three people died when a plane carrying dozens of passengers plunged into Lake Victoria in Tanzania on November 6, 2022, as it approached the northwestern city of Bukoba, the fire and rescue service said. Rescuers have pulled 26 survivors to safety after the Precision Air plane crashed due to bad weather, with 43 people, including 39 passengers, aboard flight PW 494 from the financial capital Dar es Salaam to the lakeside city, according to regional authorities. (Photo by SITIDE PROTASE / AFP) (Photo by SITIDE PROTASE/AFP via Getty Images)

“We have managed to save quite a number of people,” Kagera province police commander William Mwampaghale told journalists. “When the aircraft was about 100 metres (328ft) midair, it encountered problems and bad weather. It was raining and the plane plunged into the water. Everything is under control,” he said.

Mr Mwampaghale said rescue efforts were continuing. More to follow.

Related topics:Africa

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