An airplane crash in Lake Victoria on Sunday killed 19 people, according to Tanzania’s prime minister Kassim Majaliwa. The plane was attempting to land at a nearby airport.
An attempt to land in the country’s commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, was hampered by stormy weather.
Majaliwa told reporters, “We join you in mourning these 19 people who have lost their lives.”
According to reports, 43 people were aboard the flight – 39 passengers, two pilots, and two cabin crew members.
A hospital in Bukoba, a city in Kagera, received 26 survivors from flight PW 494, according to local authorities and the airline.
There was no word if any rescuers drowned or if more passengers were on board the 48-seat aircraft than previously reported.
Chalamila said the investigation would continue. “Two people may have died during the rescue effort even though they weren’t onboard.”
Precision Air, Tanzania’s largest private airline, dispatched rescue crews.
An airline representative stated, “Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA) and Precision Air technical staff have also departed to join the rescue efforts on the ground.”
It was reported that the plane encountered problems with adverse weather. The aircraft plunged into the water as it rained.
According to Reuters, a witness saw the plane as it was approaching the airport “unsteadily” and missed the turn for the airport.
A police commander in Bukoba said the plane crashed because of low visibility and turbulence. The search for survivors continues. As long as the airline has been working in Tanzania, there have never been any crashes.
Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake, is located on the shores of the airport. The rescue effort continued with the deployment of rescue boats and the rescue of other passengers by emergency workers.
Samia Suluhu Hassan, Tanzania’s president, called for calm during the rescue operation.
Hassan tweeted, “I have received with sadness the news of the accident involving Precision Air’s plane,” She added, “Let’s be calm at this moment when rescuers are continuing with the rescue mission while praying to God to help us.”