A passenger plane that was trying to land at an airfield in Africa crashed into Lake Victoria, killing at least 19 passengers.
On the Precision Air flight in Tanzania, about 26 passengers were saved and taken right away to the hospital.
The remainder of the passengers who are still trapped inside the sinking plane are reportedly being sought for by emergency personnel and local fishermen.
Although Tanzania’s prime minister thought they might have passed away since, reports indicate that the two pilots survived the collision.
Kagera police commander William Mwampaghale said rescue crews have already managed to save “quite a number of people”.
Kagera police commander William Mwampaghale said rescue crews have already managed to save “quite a number of people”.
He said: “When the aircraft was about 100 metres (328ft) midair, it encountered problems and bad weather. It was raining and the plane plunged into the water. Everything is under control.”
The jet “dropped in Lake Victoria this morning due to storms and heavy rainfall,” the nation’s state TV reported.
When the aircraft carrying 43 passengers crashed into the lake outside of Bukoba, Abdul Nuri was there.
“We were really shocked. People panicked and some started crying and shouting,” he told the BBC.
“At the arrivals gate people panicked as well – most of them were waiting to welcome their relatives.”
A flight attendant opened the read door while the plane was submerged, according to a fisherman aiding at the scene, and people were rescued.
It is said that bad weather was to blame for the crash.
The ATR-42 was dragged closer to the coast by rescue personnel using ropes.
The only part of the plane that was still visible above the water was the brown and green tail fin.
The runway of Bukoba Airport is located just next to Lake Victoria, which is the largest lake in Africa.
As the rescue effort goes on, President Samia Suluhu Hassan has sent her sympathies to the affected parties and urged restraint.
The flight flew from Das Es Salaam via Mwanza to Bukoba.
Kenya Airways owns a portion of Precision Air, the largest private airline in Tanzania.
