This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-63532896

The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 10 Version 11
Tanzanian Precision Air plane crashes into Lake Victoria Tanzanian Precision Air plane crashes into Lake Victoria
(32 minutes later)
WATCH: Rescuers search site of crashed plane in TanzaniaWATCH: Rescuers search site of crashed plane in Tanzania
WATCH: Rescuers search site of crashed plane in TanzaniaWATCH: Rescuers search site of crashed plane in Tanzania
A Tanzanian passenger plane has crashed into Lake Victoria as it attempted to land in the lakeside town of Bukoba, killing at least 19 people.A Tanzanian passenger plane has crashed into Lake Victoria as it attempted to land in the lakeside town of Bukoba, killing at least 19 people.
Twenty-six of the 43 people on board the Precision Air flight were initially rescued and sent to hospital.Twenty-six of the 43 people on board the Precision Air flight were initially rescued and sent to hospital.
The two pilots survived the crash and managed to speak to local officials from the cockpit but the prime minister says they may have since died.The two pilots survived the crash and managed to speak to local officials from the cockpit but the prime minister says they may have since died.
Rescue workers and local fishermen are trying to reach those still trapped. Rescue workers and local fishermen have been trying to reach those inside.
Abdul Nuri was at the airport waiting for the return flight to Tanzania's biggest city, Dar es Salaam, when he saw the plane plunge into the water. The plane crashed near the shore at the end of the Bukoba airport runway, so rescuers were able to wade through the water to bring some of those onboard the flight to safety.
Abdul Nuri was at the airport waiting for the return flight to Tanzania's biggest city, Dar es Salaam, when he saw the plane plunge into Africa's largest lake.
"We were really shocked. People panicked and some started crying and shouting," he told the BBC."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.""At the arrivals gate people panicked as well - most of them were waiting to welcome their relatives."
He has spoken to the fishermen who were first on the scene. They told him they managed to get into the plane to rescue people after a flight attendant opened the rear door after the plane had crashed.He has spoken to the fishermen who were first on the scene. They told him they managed to get into the plane to rescue people after a flight attendant opened the rear door after the plane had crashed.
The tragedy, which occurred around 08:30 local time (05:30 GMT), has been blamed on bad weather but the rain has stopped, allowing rescuers to reach the crash site. The tragedy, which occurred around 08:30 local time (05:30 GMT), has been blamed on bad weather.
Emergency workers have used ropes to pull the ATR-42 aircraft closer to the shore, and some of the plane's body is now above the water. Emergency workers have used ropes to pull the ATR-42 aircraft even closer to the shore, and some of the plane's body is now above the water.
It is not clear how many people remain trapped inside the planeIt is not clear how many people remain trapped inside the plane
Immediately after the crash, the plane was almost completely submerged with only the brown and green tail fin visible.Immediately after the crash, the plane was almost completely submerged with only the brown and green tail fin visible.
One end of the runway at Bukoba airport lies right next to the shore of Lake Victoria, Africa's largest lake.
The airport has been closed until further notice.
Tanzania's Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa has gone to the scene and said an extensive investigation would be carried out to determine the full causes of the crash.Tanzania's Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa has gone to the scene and said an extensive investigation would be carried out to determine the full causes of the crash.
"We are still identifying the bodies, but it is highly likely that the pilots might have perished," he said."We are still identifying the bodies, but it is highly likely that the pilots might have perished," he said.
It is not clear whether some of those initially rescued later succumbed to their injuries or if some of those involved in the rescue effort may have perished.
The airport has been closed until further notice.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan has expressed her condolences to those affected and called for calm as the rescue operation continues.President Samia Suluhu Hassan has expressed her condolences to those affected and called for calm as the rescue operation continues.
The plane was flying from Das es Salaam to Bukoba via Mwanza.The plane was flying from Das es Salaam to Bukoba via Mwanza.
Precision Air is Tanzania's largest private airline and is partly owned by Kenya Airways. It was founded in 1993 and operates domestic and regional flights.Precision Air is Tanzania's largest private airline and is partly owned by Kenya Airways. It was founded in 1993 and operates domestic and regional flights.
All the latest BBC news about TanzaniaAll the latest BBC news about Tanzania