Precision Air plane crash landed into Lake Victoria as it approached Bukoba airport. (Photo: NMG).

Three people died when a plane carrying dozens of passengers plunged into Lake Victoria in Tanzania on Sunday as it approached the northwestern city of Bukoba, the fire and rescue service told AFP.

Tanzania Precision Air plane crash landed into Lake Victoria as it approached Bukoba airport, police confirmed earlier.

Kagera Police boss William Mwampaghale said the cause of the turbulence that led to the crash was bad weather.

According to the state broadcaster – TBC, 15 people had been rescued so far.

The plane had departed from the capital Dar es Salaam and “fell in the Lake Victoria this morning due to storm and heavy rains,” TBC reported.

Bukoba Airport is on the shores of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake.

Rescue boats had been deployed and emergency workers were continuing to rescue other passengers trapped in the plane, TBC added.