Airplane crashes into Lake Victoria in Tanzania, 3 found dead

After a commercial airplane operated by Precision Air crashed and landed in Tanzania's Lake Victoria on Sunday, at least three persons perished.

Without offering any other information, Kagera Provincial Commissioner Albert Chalamila told reporters that the bodies of two men and one lady had been removed from the plane.

The airline said that rescue efforts have so far resulted in the recovery of at least 26 individuals.

The plane was travelling to the city of Bukoba when it crashed into Lake Victoria as it was getting ready to land in Tanzania's commercial hub of Dar es Salaam.

According to the airline and Chalamila, there were 43 people in total aboard the flight, including 39 passengers and 4 crew members.

A video that has been making the rounds on social media was captured by witnesses on the Lake Victoria shoreline and showed the airplane immersed in the water with rescue workers coordinating from adjacent boats.

"We're trying to pull out the aircraft from the water. We're trying to check if the wheels hit the ground under water or figure out some other way to push it out of the lake. At this time, there is still communication from the cockpit. The pilots are still in contact with us," Chalamila said.

Speaking from the scene, Kagera provincial police commander William Mwampaghale said "everything is currently under control."

"Rescue operations are underway, we have so far rescued several people and eventually we will make sure we have rescued everyone and removed the airplane out of the water," he said. "Those who have been rescued have been taken to our referral hospital."

Tanzania's President took to social media to call for calm while rescuers worked at the site of a downed plane.

"I have received with sadness the information of the crash of the Precision Air flight at Lake Victoria, in the Kagera region," President Samia Suluhu Hassan wrote on Twitter Sunday.

"I send my condolences to all those affected by this incident. Let's continue to be calm as the rescue operation continues and we pray to God to help us."

Precision Air is a Tanzanian airline based out of Dar es Salaam.