Fed: DFAT investigating whether Australians on crashed plane

AAP General News (Australia)
04-13-2010
Fed: DFAT investigating whether Australians on crashed plane

CANBERRA, April 13 Agencies - Australian officials say they are "very concerned" by
reports that a plane has crashed in Indonesia while landing at an airport in West Papua.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said officials in Jakarta was seeking
urgent advice from Indonesian authorities to determine whether any Australians have been
affected.

The Merpati airline Boeing 737, carrying 103 passengers and six crew, broke into pieces
as it bounced off the tarmac at Rendani domestic airport in Manokwari, West Papua, on
Tuesday.

At least 20 people were injured in the crash with some taken to hospital with shattered
limbs and head injuries.

"We are very concerned by reports that a plane has skidded off a runway at Rendani
domestic airport at Manokwari in West Papua, Indonesia," a DFAT spokesman said.

"At this stage we have no information to suggest that Australians have been involved."

People who have concerns for the welfare of Australians travelling in Indonesia are
urged to first attempt to contact them directly.

If people are unable to make contact, they should call the DFAT 24-hour Consular Emergency
Centre in Canberra on +61 2 6261 3305 or within Australia on 1300 555 135.

Bad weather, including heavy rain and fog, were suspected of playing a part in the crash.

Witnesses said the left wing broke off as the plane hurtled into trees at the end of the runway.

The body of the plane came to rest with the tail section in the river and the cockpit
almost sheered off.

The plane was flying a domestic route from Sorong, also in West Papua province, to
Manokwari, a distance of about 340km.

The vast archipelago of Indonesia relies heavily on air transport but has one of Asia's
worst air safety records.

AAP/AFP kms/sb/tr

KEYWORD: INDON PLANE AUST UPDATE

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