The Tanzania Government distanced itself from news of initial report of the Bukoba plane crash: ‘Rescue forces would have arrived sooner, many people would have come out alive”
The Tanzanian government has denied issuing a preliminary report on the crash of the Precision Air plane that crashed in Lake Victoria on November six and killed 19 people, including the pilot and his assistant.
The denied report has spread on the internet since Tuesday and was reported by various media inside and outside Tanzania and by the BBC.
The Tanzanian government now through its spokesman Gerson Msigwa says an official report will be released when it is ready and the public will be informed.
However, Msigwa’s responses have sparked debate and been opposed by some people, including Zitto Kabwe, the leader of the ACT Wazalendo opposition party.
Zitto wrote via Twitter, saying he is ready to be taken to Court if the information in the previous report is false.
Zitto wrote via Twitter, saying he is ready to be taken to Court if the information in the previous report is false.
Social embed from twitter
The ATR 42-500 plane with the number PW 494, which had 43 people, crashed in Lake Victoria a few meters from the Bukoba airport, preparing to land from Dar es Salaam via Mwanza. 24 people survived the accident.
Since the accident happened, the debate has been about who saved the 24 people, after conflicting reports citing Majaliwa Jackson, a resident of Nyamkazi, Bukoba as a hero and others citing the flight attendant and passengers who opened the door of the plane to save people.
The government has also been pointing the finger at the so-called negligence that caused the deaths of those on board, while the full report is eagerly awaited.
James Mbatia, when he spoke to the BBC after the accident, was surprised at the use of rescue technology in the world, despite the development of technology compared to 26 years ago when there was a big accident on the MV Bukoba ship, referring to the technology of using a rope to pull the plane out of the lake.
“That is, you pull the bird as if you are fishing with a hook in the sea, it is a very shameful thing” said Mbatia and added “those fishermen are the ones who do the work (rescue) when the forces are there, there has been no political will to do the work”.
Minister Bashungwa, speaking at the Kaitaba field during the farewell to the bodies of 19 people who died in the accident, promised that the government has heard and will work on the opinions of the people to improve rescue equipment.
“In this tragic disaster, we have also received the views of the people on how we need to organize ourselves better in improving the rescue systems and with this responsive government led by our dear president Mr. Samia Suluhu Hassan and we are going to work on them”, said Bashungwa.
Original BBC News of Initial Report (20 November 2022)
Share this news
This Year’s Most Read News Stories
Zanzibar free from outbreak of Marburg virus
The Zanzibar government has on Friday April 7 assured international travelers that the Isle is safe and open for business.Continue Reading
Tanzania Declares Marburg Outbreak – Africa CDC Mobilizes Immediate Response
Addis Ababa, January 20, 2025</Strong> — Tanzania has declared a Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak after confirming one case and identifying 25 suspected cases in the Kagera Region of Northwestern Tanzania. The Marburg virus, a highly infectious and often fatal disease, is similar to Ebola and is transmitted to humans from fruit bats and monkeys. This outbreak marks the nation’s second encounter with the deadly virus, following the outbreak in Bukoba District of Kagera Region in March 2023, which resulted in nine cases and six deaths.
In response to this urgent threat, the Africa CDC is mobilizing strong support to help Tanzania contain the outbreak. A team of twelve public health experts will be deployed as part of an advance mission in the next 24 hours. The multidisciplinary team includes epidemiologists, risk communication, infection prevention and control (IPC), and laboratory experts to provide on-ground support for surveillance, IPC, diagnostics, and community engagement.
The Director-General of Africa CDC, Dr. Jean Kaseya, has engaged with Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan and the Minister of Health to ensure coordinated efforts and secure political commitment for the response.
“Africa CDC stands firmly with Tanzania in this critical moment. To support the government’s efforts, we are committing US$ 2 million to bolster immediate response measures, including deploying public health experts, strengthening diagnostics, and enhancing case management. Building on Tanzania’s commendable response during the 2023 outbreak, we are confident that swift and decisive action, combined with our support and those of other partners, will bring this outbreak under control,” Dr. Kaseya stated.
Africa CDC has recently supported efforts to enhance the diagnostic and sequencing capacity of public health laboratories in Tanzania. PCR Test kits and genomic sequencing reagents have been dispatched, with additional supplies in the pipeline. To ensure rapid identification and confirmation of cases, the institution will also provide technical assistance to strengthen detection and genome sequencing for better characterization of the pathogen. Additionally, support will be provided to improve case management protocols and enhance the capacity to deliver safe and effective treatment.
Africa CDC is committed to working closely with the Government of Tanzania, regional partners, international organizations, and global stakeholders, including the World Health Organization, to stop the spread of the Marburg virus.
Source: allafrica.com
ACT Unaware of Mwinyi’s joint committee on Zanzibar reforms
Opposition party ACT Wazalendo has said it is not aware of a special committee on reforms and has directed the party’s leadership to follow up on the decision of the Central Committee which directed its leaders to meet with President Hussein Ali Mwinyi.Continue Reading
