The African Union Commission (AU) has sent their heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Tanzania over the on board plane that crashed into the Lake Victoria in the country due to bad weather on Sunday.
AU Chairman, Moussa Faki Mahamat who on behalf the Commission made this known in a tweet on Sunday said, “Our hearts and prayers go to the families of passengers on-board plane that crashed into Lake Victoria, with our full solidarity to the Government and people of Tanzania”.
Report has it that a Precision Air plane that has 43 people on board which includes two pilots and two Cabin crew departed from the commercial capital, Dar-es-Salaam, and “fell in the Lake Victoria on Sunday morning due to storm and heavy rains” in Bukoba.
According to the Regional Commissioner, Albert Chalamila who said, “When the aircraft was about 100 metres [328 feet] midair, it encountered problems and bad weather. It was raining and the plane plunged into the water but Everything is under control.”
He further said 43 people onboard the plane including 39 passengers, two pilots and two cabin crew while 19 confirmed death. “As we speak, we have managed to rescue 26 people who were taken to our referral hospital. Rescue operation is still ongoing and we are communicating with the pilots.”
The country’s Prime Minister, Kassim Majaliwa, said officials believe all bodies have been recovered from the airplane. “We’re starting to pull out the luggage and personal items from the aircraft. A team of doctors and security agencies have started the process of identifying the dead and notifying the families”.
The Precision airline confirmed the death toll and amended the number of survivors down to 24 in an updated statement on Sunday evening. Earlier, the carrier as well as local officials had said that 26 of the 43 people on board had been rescued.
“Precision Air extends its deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the passenger and crew involved in this tragic incident. The company will strive to provide them with information and whatever assistance they will require in their difficult time,” the airline said.
“The names of passengers and crew on board the aircraft will not be released until all next-of-kin have been notified,” it added.
The flight, including 39 passengers and four crew members, had taken off from Tanzania’s commercial capital of Dar es Salaam and was headed to the town of Bukoba before it plunged into Lake Victoria as it was preparing to land.
