(CNN) — Prime Minister Kasim Majaliwa said on Sunday that at least 19 people were killed when a Precision Air commercial plane crashed into Lake Victoria in Tanzania.
We regret the loss of 19 of our brothers and sisters following the rescue operations. We believe there are no bodies on the plane. We begin removing baggage and personal belongings from the aircraft. “A team of doctors and security agencies has started the process of identifying the dead and notifying the families,” Majaliwa said.
According to the Prime Minister, it is currently unclear whether the two dead were local residents involved in the rescue operation or aircrew who were excluded from the flight report.
He said they will investigate where the other two came from.
Earlier, the airline said at least 26 people were rescued and taken to hospital for medical treatment, adding that rescue operations were ongoing.
The Precision Air commercial flight had taken off from Dar es Salaam and was en route to Bukoba before crashing into Lake Victoria on approach to Bukoba airport. There were 39 passengers and 4 crew members on board.
(Credit: oyondi2/Twitter)
A video circulating on social media shows the plane submerged in water while emergency services coordinate rescue efforts from nearby boats.
“We’re trying to get the plane out of the water. We’re trying to figure out if the wheels hit the ground underwater or some other way to get it out of the lake. Now there’s communication from the cockpit . . . the pilots are still contacting us,” said Salamila.
Publisher’s Note: This article has been updated with the latest information.
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