This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7931803.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Uganda crash kills peacekeepers | Uganda crash kills peacekeepers |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Three senior Burundi officers are among 10 people feared dead after a plane flying to Somalia crashed in Uganda's Lake Victoria, officials say. | Three senior Burundi officers are among 10 people feared dead after a plane flying to Somalia crashed in Uganda's Lake Victoria, officials say. |
The Soviet-era Ilyushin 76 was carrying equipment to the African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia, made up of troops from Uganda and Burundi. | The Soviet-era Ilyushin 76 was carrying equipment to the African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia, made up of troops from Uganda and Burundi. |
It crashed shortly after taking off from Uganda's main Entebbe airport. | It crashed shortly after taking off from Uganda's main Entebbe airport. |
Two Russian and two Ukrainian crew members were also killed, according to Russian media. | Two Russian and two Ukrainian crew members were also killed, according to Russian media. |
It is also reported that at least one Uganda soldier was on board. | It is also reported that at least one Uganda soldier was on board. |
A rescue mission is under way but officials say there is little hope of finding any survivors. | A rescue mission is under way but officials say there is little hope of finding any survivors. |
"Burundi deplores the death of three of its officers who were on the plane," army spokesman Adolphe Manirakiza told Reuters news agency in Bujumbura. | "Burundi deplores the death of three of its officers who were on the plane," army spokesman Adolphe Manirakiza told Reuters news agency in Bujumbura. |
"Unfortunately, it is highly unlikely that there are survivors," the deputy commander of Burundi's contingent in Somalia, Nicolas Bwakira, told AFP news agency. | "Unfortunately, it is highly unlikely that there are survivors," the deputy commander of Burundi's contingent in Somalia, Nicolas Bwakira, told AFP news agency. |
Police spokeswoman Judith Nabakooba said the aircraft came down in Lake Victoria near Bugunga Island. | Police spokeswoman Judith Nabakooba said the aircraft came down in Lake Victoria near Bugunga Island. |
It is not known what caused the crash and a team of investigators has been sent to the site. | It is not known what caused the crash and a team of investigators has been sent to the site. |
An army spokesman said eyewitnesses reported seeing the plane catch fire before it crashed in the lake. | An army spokesman said eyewitnesses reported seeing the plane catch fire before it crashed in the lake. |
It was carrying water purifiers, pipes and other equipment, the spokesman said, quoted by the Associated Press news agency. | It was carrying water purifiers, pipes and other equipment, the spokesman said, quoted by the Associated Press news agency. |
The crash comes two week after 11 Burundian peacekeepers were killed in a suicide attack on their barracks in Mogadishu. | The crash comes two week after 11 Burundian peacekeepers were killed in a suicide attack on their barracks in Mogadishu. |
The AU mission was sent to Somalia two years ago but has been unable to end attacks by Islamist and nationalist insurgents. | The AU mission was sent to Somalia two years ago but has been unable to end attacks by Islamist and nationalist insurgents. |
Islamists now control much of the south of the country. | Islamists now control much of the south of the country. |