26 rescued, search for survivors continue in Tanzania plane crash
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Loading... - Sara Wright
- 07 Nov 2022
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At least 26 people were rescued from a sinking plane that plunged into Lake Victoria due to bad weather in Tanzania early Sunday.
The aircraft was reportedly carrying 43 people was due to land in the northwestern city of Bukoba shortly before the accident, police said, as rescuers searched for survivors.
"There was an accident involving a Precision Air plane which ... crashed into water about 100 meters (328 feet) from the airport," regional police commander William Mwampaghale told reporters at Bukoba airport.
Regional commissioner Albert Chalamila said 43 people, including 39 passengers, two pilots and two cabin crew, were aboard flight PW 494 from the financial capital Dar es Salaam to the lakeside city in Kagera region.
"As we speak, we have managed to rescue 26 people who were taken to our referral hospital," Chalamila said.
"The rescue operation is still ongoing and we are communicating with the pilots," he said, adding that the aircraft was an ATR-42, manufactured by Toulouse-based Franco-Italian firm ATR.
Precision Air, which is Tanzania's largest private airline, released a brief statement confirming the accident.
"The rescue team has been dispatched to the scene and more information will be released in 2 hours' time," the airline said. Read More…
