19 dead after passenger plane crashes into Lake Victoria as it was coming in to land at Tanzania airport

The aircraft was travelling from the country’s largest city, Dar es Salaam, to Bukoba airport when the accident happened.

Nineteen people have died after a small passenger plane crashed into Lake Victoria as it was coming in to land at an airport in Tanzania.

Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa announced the new death toll, which is up from three earlier.

“All Tanzanians join you in mourning these 19 people who have lost their lives,” Mr Majaliwa told reporters near the scene on Sunday.

The aircraft was travelling to Bukoba airport when it “crash landed” at 8.53am (5.53am GMT), Precision Air said in a statement.

Previously authorities said 26 of the 43 people on board the flight from the country’s biggest city, Dar es Salaam, had been rescued and taken to hospital.

“We have managed to save quite a number of people,” Kagera province police commander William Mwampaghale told journalists.

“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,” he said.

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