Plane crashes in Uganda shortly after take-off

A cargo plane carrying equipment for peacekeepers in Somalia caught fire and crashed into Uganda’s Lake Victoria shortly after…

A cargo plane carrying equipment for peacekeepers in Somalia caught fire and crashed into Uganda’s Lake Victoria shortly after take-off today.

There were at least seven people on board but conflicting reports on casualties.

Uganda's Civil Aviation Authority said there were seven passengers and four crew members on board and it was possible that there may be survivors. It did not report any deaths.

An army spokesman had previously said everyone on board died.

There was no immediate explanation for the discrepancy in numbers offered by the army and the aviation authority.

The aviation authority said the Ilyushin 76 was carrying equipment for Ugandan peacekeepers in Somalia. The cause of the crash was under investigation.

Army spokesman Major Felix Kulaigye said there were seven people on board and a Burundian, a Ugandan and a South African were among the dead. Four crew members whose nationalities are unknown were also killed, he said.

Maj Kulaigye said eyewitnesses reported seeing the plane catch fire in the air before it crashed into the lake. It was carrying water purifiers, pipes and other equipment, he said.

Police said the plane crashed near Bugunga Island and investigators had been sent to the site.

Plane crashes are not unusual in Africa, where many airlines fly old or outdated aircraft - often from the former Soviet Union - and infrastructure is often not properly maintained. Some airlines are banned from flying in Europe.

AP