According to Tanzania’s Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, 19 people have died in Sunday’s plane crash in Lake Victoria.
During stormy weather, the plane crashed as it attempted to land in Dar es Salaam, the country’s commercial capital.
“We join you in mourning these 19 people who have lost their lives,” Majaliwa told reporters in the northwestern city of Bukoba, where the plane plunged into the water as it approached the airport.
Forty-three people were aboard the flight at the time of the crash – 39 passengers, two pilots, and two cabin crew members.
According to local authorities and the airline, 26 survivors were pulled to safety from flight PW 494 and taken to a hospital in Bukoba, a city in the Kagera region.
In addition to the 19 victims, it was unclear if any rescuers drowned or if more people were on board the 48-seat aircraft than previously disclosed.
Chalamila said the investigation is continuing. “Two people may have died during the rescue effort even though they weren’t onboard.”
Tanzania’s largest private airline, Precision Air, said it had dispatched rescuers.
“Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA) and Precision Air technical staff have also departed to join the rescue team on the ground,” the airline announced.
“Quite a few people have been saved,” Kagera province police commander William Mwampaghale told journalists earlier today.
During the flight, the plane encountered problems and inclement weather. It was raining, and the plane plunged into the water.
According to the police commander in Bukoba, the plane crashed because of low visibility and turbulance.
Rescue efforts continue. The airline has been working in Tanzania for so long that there have never been any crashes.
The airport is located on the shores of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake. Rescue boats were deployed and emergency workers continued to rescue other passengers.
During the rescue operation, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan called for calm.
“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.”