Rescue workers in boats work at the scene after a plane crash Photo: dpa
From the BZ editorial team
Plane crash in Tanzania!
A Precision Air ATR 42 aircraft with 43 people on board crashed into Lake Victoria on approach to Bukoba Airport.
The plane took off from the capital, Dar es Salaam, at 6 a.m. On the approach to Bukoba, it ran into a storm. Heavy rain and dense fog interfered with the plane’s landing, according to rescue workers at the scene.
A detailed investigation into the cause of the crash is still pending. At least 26 people were injured in the crash and taken to a nearby hospital. The rescue operation lasted for the time being. According to initial information, there were no deaths.
Photos on social media show that only the roof of the cabin and the tail of the plane are still sticking out of the water. The wreck is within sight of the shore. Precision Air has confirmed the accident in a statement; the twelve-year-old plane had an “accident”.
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan tweeted: “It is with sadness that I received the news of the Precision Air plane crash.” Pray God to help us.”
Lake Victoria is the third largest inland body of water in the world after the Caspian Sea and Lake Superior in North America. It is located in the border triangle of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The area of the lake roughly corresponds to that of Bavaria.
The airline Precision Air is the largest Tanzanian airline and subsidiary of Kenya Airways. It specializes in tourist flights within Tanzania. Among other things, the airline flies to Mount Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti – popular destinations for international tourists. (rob, mqu)