CNN
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Several passengers were rescued on a Precision Air commercial flight that crashed into Lake Victoria in Tanzania on Sunday, according to officials.
Boats with emergency response personnel have been deployed to the crash site on Africa’s largest lake near Bukoba Airport. It was not immediately clear how many passengers were on board or whether there were any deaths in the accident.
Speaking at the site, Kagera County Police Chief William Mwambagal said “everything is currently under control”.
“Rescue operations are underway, so far we have saved many people, and in the end we will make sure that we rescue everyone and remove the plane from the water,” he said.
“Those who were rescued were taken to our referral hospital.”
A video clip shared on social media by onlookers on the shores of Lake Victoria showed the plane submerged in water with emergency responders coordinating rescue efforts from nearby boats.
Tanzania’s president has taken to social media to call for calm as rescuers work at the site of a plane crash.
“Sadly, I have received information about the crash of the Precision Air in Lake Victoria, Kagera District,” Samoa Solo President wrote on Twitter on Sunday.
I send my deepest condolences to all those affected by this accident. Let’s stay calm as the rescue operation continues and ask God to help us.”
Precision Air is a Tanzanian airline based in Dar es Salaam.
This is an evolving story – more to come
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