19 dead after commercial aircraft crashes into Lake Victoria in Tanzania

In a rather unfortunate event, a passenger aeroplane crashed into Lake Victoria in Tanzania while attempting to land at the nearby airport in Bukoba on Sunday, as per a report by Reuters.

The rescue operation is currently underway and according to authorities, 15 people have been rescued from the water so far.

Flight number PW 494had taken off from the capital, Dar es Salaam before plunging into Lake Victoria (Africa's largest lake), primarily due to bad weather as storm and heavy rains lashed the region.

The plane belonged to a Tanzanian airline company namedPrecisionAir which operatespassenger services toNairobi, Entebbe and different airstrips spread across the country.

The company, in an official statement, after the crash said, "PrecisionAir flight no. PW 494, flying from Dar es Salaam to Bukoba, was involved in an accident as it was approaching Bukoba Airport.”

“The rescue team has been dispatched to the scene and more information will be released in two hours,” the statement added.

Notice to the public pic.twitter.com/QvdMGeMynq — Precision Air (@PrecisionAirTz) November 6, 2022

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Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassantook to Twitter to inform about the crash and asked people to remain calm as the rescue operations were underway.

"I have received with sadness the news of the accident involving Precision Air's plane. Let's be calm at this moment when rescuers are continuing with the rescue mission while praying to God to help us."

Nimepokea kwa masikitiko taarifa ya ajali ya ndege ya Shirika la Precision katika Ziwa Victoria, mkoani Kagera. Natuma salamu za pole kwa wote walioathirika na ajali hii. Tuendelee kuwa watulivu wakati huu zoezi la uokoaji likiendelea huku tukimuomba Mwenyezi Mungu atusaidie. — Samia Suluhu (@SuluhuSamia) November 6, 2022

Photos and videos of the crashed plane in the lake going viral on social media platforms depict a mostly submerged aircraft body with only the coloured tail visible.

(This is a developing story. More updates to follow)

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