afrol News, 9 March - A cargo plane has crashed near Uganda’s main airport into Lake Victoria this morning, police officials have confirmed. At least 11 people on board are feared dead.

The Antonov plane ferrying Somalia peacekeepers equipment is reported to have crashed into the lake after take-off from Uganda's main airport outside the capital Kampala.

Police spokeswoman Judith Nabakooba said the plane reportedly crashed after it caught fire in the early hours, saying a team has been sent out to check the casualties in the rubble of the plane.

Although it still remained unclear as to what could have caused the accident, eyewitnesses have reported that the plane caught fire before it plunged into the lake.

The plane was carrying water purifiers, pipes and other equipment being ferried to the Ugandan troops in Somalia, according to the police official.

Uganda's Civil Aviation Authority said there was a possibility of survivors from the crash, saying the cause of the crash was under investigation.

However, the army spokesman, Major Felix Kulaigye, has said the seven people on board had died including four crew members.

Plane crashes are common in most war ridden African states where many airlines fly old and outdated aircraft with infrastructure being not properly maintained.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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