Tanzania plane crash leaves at least 19 dead

At least 19 people are dead after a plane crashed into a lake, with emergency services and local fishermen working desperately to rescue trapped passengers.

At least 19 people are dead after a plane carrying 43 passengers crashed into Lake Victoria as it tried to land at an airport in Tanzania, Africa.

Earlier, airline Precision Air had said 26 passengers on flight PW494 were rescued and taken to hospital, The Sun reports.

However while it was originally reported that the two pilots had survived the crash, it is possible they have since died, according to claims by Tanzania Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa.

Emergency services and local fishermen rushed to the scene of the crash in a bid to rescue the passengers trapped inside the sinking aircraft.

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Rescuers search for survivors after a Precision Air flight that was carrying 43 passengers plunged into Lake Victoria. Picture: Sitide Protase/AFP

Kagera police commander William Mwampaghale said there was bad weather at the time of the crash, which occurred at around 8.50am Sunday, local time.

He said: “When the aircraft was about 100m mid-air, it encountered problems and bad weather. It was raining and the plane plunged into the water.”

The country’s state broadcaster said the plane “fell in Lake Victoria this morning due to storms and heavy rains”.

Abdul Nuri was at the lakeside airport in Bukoba when the plane plunged into the water.

“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 least 19 people have died in the crash. Picture: Sitide Protase/AFP

Local residents gather as rescuers search for survivors. Picture: Sitide Protase/AFP

Fishermen helping at the scene told of arriving to rescue people after a flight attendant opened the door while the plane was lodged in the water.

Emergency crews used ropes to pull the ATR-42 plane closer to the shore.

The plane had been completely submerged with just its tailfin visible from above the water.

Bukoba airport’s runway lies right beside the shore of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake.

Tanzania 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 the Dar es Salaam to Bukoba via Mwanza.

Precision Air is Tanzania’s largest private airline and is partially owned by Kenya Airways.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and has been republished with permission