DAR ES SALAAM: A passenger plane crashed into Lake Victoria in Tanzania on Sunday while trying to land at an airport in Bukoba, state-owned Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC) reported.
TBC said 15 people had been rescued so far, but it was not known how many passengers were on board the Precision Air plane or if there were any fatalities.
Precision Air flight plunges into Lake Victoria when landing at Bukoba Airport in Tanzania, authorities say rescue operations underway. pic.twitter.com/GKKMEG2Wux
— PoliticKing (@GiversonMaina) November 6, 2022
The plane, which had departed from the capital Dar es Salaam, “crashed in Lake Victoria this morning due to storm and heavy rain”, TBC reported.
Video footage and photos circulating on social media showed the plane almost completely submerged, with only its green and tan colored tail visible above the waterline.
Lifeboats were deployed and emergency workers continued to rescue other passengers trapped on the plane, TBC added.
Precision Air flight plunges into #LakeVictoria when landing at #Bukoba Airport in Tanzania, authorities say rescue operations underway #Tanzania pic.twitter.com/l7pkOm21R8
— FX16 News (@fx16news) November 6, 2022
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan called for calm as the rescue operation continued.
“I am saddened to hear of the Precision Air plane crash,” she tweeted. “Let us be calm at this moment as rescuers continue the rescue mission while praying to God to help us.”
Bukoba Airport is located on the shores of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake.
Precision Air is Tanzania’s largest privately owned airline.
