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Catholic Bishops in Tanzania Condole with Families, Victims of Sunday Plane Crash

The Precision Air flight that crashed into Lake Victoria Sunday, November 6. Credit: Courtesy Photo

Catholic Bishops in Tanzania have condoled with families of victims of the Precision Air Flight that crashed into Lake Victoria Sunday, November 6.

The Precision Air flight that had originated from Dar es Salaam crashed into Lake Victoria as it was approaching Bukoba Airport in the Northwestern part of the country, killing at least 19 people, media reports have indicated.

“The Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) extends its deepest condolences to all the victims and casualties of the plane crash in Bukoba in Kagera Region,” the Catholic Bishops say in a Monday, November 7 message.

The Catholic Bishops add, “TEC wishes the family members and all Tanzanians strength during this difficult time.”

“Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen,” Catholic Bishops in Tanzania further say.  

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Bad weather was blamed for the November 6 crash. 

The Chief Administrator of Tanzania’s Kagera Region, Albert Chalamila, told Reuters that the pilots had survived the crash and were in communication with the rescue workers from the cockpit before reporting that their oxygen supply was reducing.

Mr. Chalamila said the pilots were dead by the time the rescue workers reached them, but the flight attendants survived.

Survivors of flight PW494 operated by Precision Air Flight crash were taken to hospital in Bukoba.

Government leaders have also commiserated with the families of the deceased. In a tweet, President Samia Suluhu said she received “with sadness” the news of the accident, and added, “I condole with all those who have been affected by this accident.”

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President Suluhu also called on Tanzanians to remain calm as investigations into the cause of the accident continue.

The Tanzanian President also applauded those who participated in the rescue mission.

“I pray that the deceased may rest in peace and that the injured may recover quickly,” the Tanzania President implored.  

An interdenominational service for the deceased and victims of the ill-fated plane was held on Monday. November 7 at the Kataiba Stadium in the Kagera region. 

The regional commissioner of Kagera awarded TSH.1million (US$428.00) to Mr. Kassim Jackson, a fisherman who participated in the rescue operation, for his brave efforts.

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Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.