Several passengers aboard a commercial flight operated by Precision Air that crashed into Lake Victoria, Tanzania, on Sunday (6) were rescued, according to the airline and local authorities.
Boats with emergency response teams were sent to the crash site on Africa’s largest lake near Bukoba airport.
The airline said 26 people had been rescued so far before adding that no fatalities had yet been confirmed, according to a statement posted on its Twitter account.
The flight had taken off from Tanzania’s commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, but was involved in an accident as it approached Bukoba airport and crashed into Lake Victoria, the company said.
A total of 43 people were on the flight, including 39 passengers and four crew, according to the airline and Kagera provincial commissioner Albert Chalamila.
Videos circulating on social media taken by onlookers on the shores of Lake Victoria showed the aircraft submerged in the water with emergency crews coordinating rescue efforts from nearby boats.
“We are trying to get the aircraft out of the water. We’re trying to see if the wheels hit the ground underwater or figure out some other way to push it out of the lake. At this point, there is still communication from the cockpit. The pilots are still in contact with us,” Chalamila said.
Speaking at the scene on Sunday, Kagera provincial police commander William Mwampaghale said “everything is currently under control”.
“Rescue operations are ongoing, so far we have rescued several people and eventually we will ensure that we rescue everyone and remove the plane from the water,” he said.
“Those who were rescued were taken to our referral hospital.”
Tanzania’s president took to social media to urge calm as rescue teams worked at the scene of a downed plane.
“I was sadly informed of the accident of the Precision Air flight on Lake Victoria in the Kagera region,” President Samoa Suluhu wrote on Twitter on Sunday.
“I send my condolences to all those affected by this incident. We will remain calm as the rescue operation continues and we pray to God to help us.”
president of tanzania
Precision Air is a Tanzanian airline based in Dar es Salaam.
*Chris Liakos and Larry Madowo of CNN
Source: CNN Brasil
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