Tanzania has launched an investigation into the crash of a passenger plane that plunged into Lake Victoria, killing 19 people.
Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa has announced that an independent inquiry will be conducted to determine what caused the airplane crash. The Prime Minister also attended the funeral service being held at the neighborhood football stadium in Bukoba to pay last respect to those who perished.
The final report of the probe, which includes experts from multiple institutions, will be made public when the investigation ends, Kassim Majaliwa said.
French air accident investigators are being deployed to Tanzania to assist in the investigation. France’s BEA air accident investigation agency said that it was sending a team to Tanzania along with technical advisers from Franco-Italian planemaker ATR.
VIDEO: 🇹🇿 Rescuers search for survivors after a plane carrying 43 people plunged into Lake Victoria in Tanzania early on Sunday due to bad weather as it approached the northwestern city of Bukoba pic.twitter.com/5GRAYlvdVh
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) November 6, 2022
Flight details
The flight PW494, operated by Tanzanian airline Precision Air and carrying 43 people, hit the water in stormy weather as it tried to land at Bukoba airport early on Sunday morning, arriving from the capital Dar es Salaam.
Precision Air and the rescue officials have confirmed there were 24 survivors adding that they have retrieved all bodies from the incident site. Airport operations have been suspended until further notice.
Fisherman declared hero
Tanzanian fisherman Majaliwa Jackson has been officially declared a hero after rescuing most of the 24 survivors of the Precision Air plane crash on November 6.
Most of the 24 survivors of the crash were rescued by Jackson who was one of the first responders at the site. The Tanzanian government awarded Jackson 1 million Tanzanian shillings ($430; £370) and also offered him a job in the fire and rescue brigade in recognition of his humanitarian efforts.
Rescue events as reported by the Fisherman
Recalling the ordeal from his hospital bed, Mr. Jackson said he got confused when he saw the airplane approaching from the wrong direction and landing in the lake. He, along with three other fishermen, rushed to the scene and helped open the rear door by smashing it with a rowing oar which helped passengers seated at the back of the plane to be rescued.
Jackson also narrated how he wanted to rescue both the pilots stuck in the cockpit but was knocked unconscious. Both pilots are among the 19 recorded fatalities.