Tanzania: 19 people dead after plane crashes into Lake Victoria

Local authorities say 26 of the 43 passengers on board were rescued and taken to hospital

News reports showed photos of the plane mostly submerged in the lake. Photograph: EPA
News reports showed photos of the plane mostly submerged in the lake. Photograph: EPA

A small passenger plane has crashed into Lake Victoria on approach to an airport in Tanzania, killing 19 people.

Prime minister Kassim Majaliwa gave the new death toll, up from an original estimate of three.

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.

Precision Air is a Tanzanian airline company.

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News reports showed photos of the plane mostly submerged in the lake.

“We have managed to save quite a number of people,” Kagera province police commander William Mwampaghale said.

“When the aircraft was about 100m mid-air, 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. – AP