Many passengers on a Precision Air commercial flight that crashed into Lake Victoria in Tanzania on Sunday have been rescued, officials said.
Boats with emergency personnel were deployed to the crash site on Africa’s largest lake near Bukoba airport. It was not immediately clear how many passengers were on the plane or if there were any casualties in the crash.
Speaking at the scene, Kagera Provincial Police Commander William Mwampaghale said “everything is currently under control”.
“Rescue operations are going on, so far we have rescued several people and eventually we will make sure that we have rescued everyone and got the plane out of the water,” he said.
“Those who have been rescued have been taken to our referral hospital.”
Video released on social media taken by onlookers on the shores of Lake Victoria shows the aircraft submerged in the water with emergency personnel coordinating rescue efforts from nearby boats.
Tanzania’s President took to social media to appeal for calm as rescue workers worked at the site of the downed plane.
“I am saddened to hear of the crash of the Precision Air flight in Lake Victoria, Kagera District,” President Samoa Suluhu tweeted on Sunday.
“My condolences to all those affected by this incident. Let us continue to be calm as the rescue operation continues and pray to God to help us.”
Precision Air is a Tanzanian airline based in Dar es Salaam.
This is a developing story – more to come
