An Indonesian MA-60 aircraft crashed into the sea Saturday in the Eastern Island of Papua, Indonesia. The plane crashed 500 meters away from the airstrip killing all p(–foul word(s) removed–)engers and crew members of the ill-fated flight from Sorong city in West Papua province heading for Kaimana district.
An Indonesian Navy officer was quoted as saying that “I can confirm that all the p(–foul word(s) removed–)engers were killed when the plane exploded as it crashed into the sea” according to the officer when interviewed by Shinta Radio.
According to the report by the (–foul word(s) removed–)ociated Press Police Lt. Col. Antonius Wanti Julianto said 15 bodies had been found during the search and rescue operation.
There were conflicting reports of the number of total p(–foul word(s) removed–)engers and crew members involved in the accident but according to initial findings of the accident, a total of 25 people were reportedly onboard the Merpati flight, including two children, one baby, 18 adults, two pilots and two cabin crew.
The MA-60 aircraft belonged to the state-owned company Merpati. According to K aimana Police Chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Antonius Wantri Julianto said the plane had been circling the airport for 15 minutes before the accident.
As of this writing Merpati spokesman was making their own investigation for the said accident because it was still unclear for them the cause of the accident, although local airport officials had attributed the crashed due to the bad weather condition.
According to the latest development as reported by CNN News a total of 27 people on board. The accident happened at around 2 P.M. Saturday local time.