A Precision Air flight crashed into Lake Victoria on Sunday, November 6, while landing at Bukoba Airport in Tanzania.
The aircraft went down into the lake while attempting to land at an airport in Bukoba during stormy weather.
News reports showed photos of the plane mostly submerged in the lake with only its green and brown-coloured tail visible above the water line.
According to authorities, a rescue operation was launched and emergency services were availed at the scene immediately.
Reports indicate that the plane had a total of 25 people on board, 23 of them were passengers and two were pilots.
Of the 25, 21 are reported to have been injured. Five of them were severely injured while 15 suffered minor injuries.
Only one passenger has been reported dead.
“We have received information of a plane that plunged into Lake Victoria in the morning hours. The plane had 25 people on board including 23 passengers and two pilots. Of the 25, 21 survived and one died. Of the injured passengers, 15 had minor injuries while 5 were severely injured,” an officer said.
The plane is said to have departed from the commercial capital Dar es Salaam and “fell in Lake Victoria this morning due to storm and heavy rains” in Bukoba.
“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.”
“According to the police commander in Bukoba, the plane crashed due to bad weather, and fog. It is raining around that area. Rescue efforts are still ongoing. The airline has worked in Tanzania for so long and has had no crashes,” Saidi said.
Bukoba Airport is on the shores of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake. Rescue boats were deployed and emergency workers continued to rescue other passengers trapped on the plane.
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan called for calm during the rescue operation.
“I have received with sadness the news of the accident involving Precision Air’s plane,” she tweeted. “Let’s be calm at this moment when rescuers are continuing with the rescue mission while praying to God to help us.”
Precision Air is Tanzania’s largest privately-owned airline.
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