Divers were unable to launch a rescue operation after a passenger plane crashed in Tanzania’s Lake Victoria because they ran out of oxygen, an official said. At least 19 people died when the plane crashed into the lake on November 6. A report by Tanzania’s transport ministry painted a dire picture of the preparedness of emergency services to deal with the disaster. The report echoed earlier public criticism of the rescue operations, but did not reveal the cause of the crash, saying the investigation was still ongoing. However, there was bad weather – including thunderstorms and strong winds – before the Precision Air private jet crashed into the lake. Fishermen were the first on the scene and led the rescue efforts. Of the 43 people on board, 24 survived. Among the dead are two pilots. The plane took off from the commercial capital of Dar es Salaam and made a scheduled stop in Mwanza before crashing at around 0550 GMT as it approached the airport in the lakeside town of Bukoba. The government awarded fisherman Majaliwa Jackson for his rescue efforts. It recognized him as a hero, awarded him 430 dollars and offered him a job in the fire and rescue brigade. Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan pledged to strengthen disaster response services after her cabinet discussed the disaster last week.
SOURCE: BBC
