At least 19 people have been killed after a plane flying from the Tanzanian capital Dar es Salaam to the northern city of Bukoba plunged into nearby Lake Victoria on Sunday morning.
The flight was identified as a Precision Air passenger plane, ne of the biggest in Tanzanian aviation with some links to Kenya.
Witnesses at the nearby airport said they were shocked after seeing the plane plunge from the sky into the lake.
Many appearing distressed had cried as the scene unfolded in their own eyes.
Some 20 people on board the flight have been rescued, aviation officials said.
While initial reports about the whereabouts of its two pilots suggest they may have survived the crash, the country’s prime minister claimed the pair have died in the intervening period following the accident.
There have been rescue scenes as part of the ATR-42 plane appeared submerged under water.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan has expressed shock over the tragedy and vowed that the crash would be investigated.
APA