PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has received messages of condolences from regional Heads of State, ambassadors and local leaders following a traffic accident in Bukoba, where 19 lost their lives on Sunday.
In the accident, Precision Air plane with 43 on board crashed into Lake Victoria as it attempted to land in Bukoba Town after a bad weather spell in the area enroute from Dar es Salaam.
Speaking at Kaitaba Stadium in Bukoba municipality yesterday, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa said the condolences were made by different leaders including Mr Evariste Ndayishimiye, president of Burundi saying: “I send my heartfelt sympathies to President Samia and the people of Tanzania. Burundi is praying with you at these trying moments.”
Rwandan President, Mr Paul Kagame on his part said: “I am with President Samia and families, who lost their beloved ones as well as the Tanzanians in general following the loss of lives in the plane crash. Our feelings and thoughts are with the families and all the bereaved.”
In his 16 million twitter account followers, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party in Kenya quoted President William Ruto as saying that his country mourns with the people of Tanzania following a tragic plane crash.
He added: “We send our deepest condolences and wish all survivors of the Precision Air tragedy a quick recovery.”
Mr Majaliwa further said: “We have also received condolences from all ambassadors representing Tanzania in different foreign countries and in particular, in his statement relayed on Instagram page, France Ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Nabil Hajlaoui said that the tragic news of the aircraft crash on Sunday morning in Lake Victoria has shaken members of the French Embassy and the entire French community in Tanzania.
“Our hearts go out to those affected by the plane crash; we sincerely praise the rescue operations that saved many lives. We pay tribute to the heroic efforts of all involved in the rescue operation,” the statement read in part.
The list also included the African Union Commission Chairperson, Mr Moussa Faki Mahamat, whose twitter was written: “Our hearts and prayers go to the families of the passengers onboard the plane that crashed into Lake Victoria, let them have our full solidarity and to the government and people of Tanzania.”
On his part, the East African Community (EAC) Secretary General, Mr Peter Mathuki twitter account read: “The EAC joins and sends our condolences to President Samia, families and friends of all those who were affected by the Precision Air plane accident.”
Equally, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) also used twitter page to say that it was saddened by the reports of the tragic loss of lives after the ill-fated Precision Air flight- PW 494 crashed into Lake Victoria, leaving 19 dead.
From leaders in the country, Mr Majaliwa further said: ” Speaker of the Parliament, Dr Tulia Ackson and the Chief Justice, Prof Ibrahimu Juma wished to be here (in Bukoba) grieving with us, but they asked me to convey their sympathetic messages to you.
But above all, on Sunday President Samia expressed her condolences to those affected through her twitter account, saying: “I have received with regret the information on the plane crash of Precision Corporation into Lake Victoria in Kagera region… Let us continue to be calm, while the rescue operations continue and ask God to help us.”