Plane crashes in Lake Victoria - rescue operation continues

Created: 11/06/2022, 11:40 am

By: Markus Hofstetter

The Precision Air plane crashed into the water near the shore of Lake Victoria, Tanzania.

© twitter/@SuleimanSabdow2

A Precision Air plane was approaching an airport on the shores of Lake Victoria.

Due to heavy rain and fog, she fell into the water.

Dar es Salaam - A plane belonging to the Tanzanian airline Precision Air crashed into Lake Victoria early on Sunday morning.

According to Hamza Johari, director of the Tanzania Aviation Authority, the ATR 42 propeller plane was on its way to land from the capital Dar es Salaam at the time of the accident in the city of Bukoba on Lake Victoria.

Plane crashes in Lake Victoria: the cause of the accident was probably bad weather

Heavy rain and dense fog interfered with the plane's landing, according to rescue workers at the scene.

However, a detailed investigation into the reason for the crash is still pending.

At least 26 of the 43 people on board were injured in the crash and taken to a nearby hospital.

The rescue operation lasted for the time being.

According to initial information, it is unclear whether there were any deaths.

Photos and videos on Twitter show that the plane crashed into the lake near the shore.

Only the roof of the cabin and the rear of the machine stick out of the water.

The wreck is within sight of the shore.

Plane crashes in Lake Victoria: Tanzanian President calls for calm

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan called for calm as the rescue operation continues: "It is with regret that I received the news of the Precision Corporation plane crash in Lake Victoria, Kagera region," she tweeted.

"Let's continue to remain calm as the rescue operation continues while we ask Allah for help.

Lake Victoria is the third largest inland body of water in the world after the Caspian Sea and Lake Superior in North America.

The lake is located in the three country corners of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

The area of ​​the lake roughly corresponds to that of Bavaria.

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Precision Air specializes in tourist flights within Tanzania.

The airline, in which Kenya Airways also has a stake, flies to Mount Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti - popular destinations for international tourists.

In 2018, 131 people died in a ferry accident on Lake Victoria.