Rescue operations are underway after a plane carrying 39 passengers, crashed into Africa’s largest lake in Tanzania.

At least 19 people were killed, the country’s prime minister, Kasim Majaliwa, said.

Of the 39 passengers on the Precision Air flight, 26 were rescued and taken to hospital

Of the 39 passengers on the Precision Air flight, 26 were rescued and taken to hospita

“We have managed to save a significant number of people,” Kagera province police commander William M. told reporters

The plane was about 100 m in the middle, it encountered problems and bad weather  the plane fell into the water,” he said

Picture showed the plane almost completely submerged in the lake with the rescue boats around its green and yellow tail.

“Rescue teams have been dispatched to the scene,” Precision Air said.

“I have received with sadness the news of the accident involving Precision Air’s plane,” Tanzanian President wrote on Twitter