Tragic Plane Crash in Indonesia Claims Lives of All 11 Passengers as Rescue Teams Race to Search Wreckage

FEARS that a plane crash has “killed all 11 onboard” have escalated, as rescue teams frantically search through debris.

The Indonesia Air Transport turboprop flight lost contact with air traffic control on Saturday, following its departure from Yogyakarta.

The flight lost contact with air traffic control just 12 miles from its final stopCredit: Indonesia Air Transport The plane departed from Yogyakarta on SaturdayCredit: flightradar24 Rescue teams have been deployed to what they believe is the crash siteCredit: ViralPress

The plane had been just 12 miles from the airport when it fell off the radar.

New footage shows debris scattered down a mountainside where authorities now believe the flight crashed, leading authorities to believe that there have been no survivors.

The aircraft had been destined for Makassar in South Sulawesi, but went down off the coast of the Indonesian island.

Locals reported hearing a noise that “sounded like burning material”, before a loud explosion.

Hikers on Mount Bulusaraung also reported seeing scattered debris, including a logo that seemed consistent with Indonesia Air, along with

South Sulawesi’s Hasanuddin military commander, Maj. Gen. Bangun Nawoko said: “The sightings were reported to authorities and are being verified by rescue teams attempting to reach the area.”

In a statement to local media, the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, said three Ministry employees had been on board the plane as part of a surveillance mission to support Indonesia’s fisheries management operations.

in the country’s Central Papua province to search the area for any potential survivors.

Andi Sultan, Head of the Makassar Basarnas Operations Section, said the search had been aided by coordinates from Airnav.

“We have headed to the location of the coordinates around the Leang-Leang area,” he said.

“To detect and find the ATR 42-500 aircraft, the team has deployed 60 search and rescue personnel.

“The first team has dispatched five people to carry out the assessment, and we are sending another 15 people for the second team.”

Sultan said a third team with 40 personnel will join the rescue efforts soon.

Director General of Air Transport, Lukman F Laisa, also commented, saying air traffic control had tried to return the plane to its course; however, lost contact with the captain.

“The aircraft was identified not to be on the approach path it should have been, so the air traffic control gave a redirection to the crew to correct the position,” he said.

“Air traffic control then conveyed several further instructions.

60 rescue workers have been deployed to search the mountainsideCredit: ViralPress The plane was carrying 11 peopleCredit: ViralPress

“The instructions aimed to bring the plane back to the landing line in accordance with the procedure.”

Laisa then said following the last instructions, communication had been lost.

“Following up on this condition, air traffic control declared an emergency phase in accordance with the applicable provisions and procedures,” he said.

The plane had been flying at a low altitude over the ocean near the coast of South Sulawesi, limiting its radar coverage, according to authorities.

Its final signal was received at 11.20am local time, around 12 miles northeast of its final destination.

The plane – registered as PK-THT – is owned by Indonesia Air Transport, a charter company that specialises in chartered flights for oil and gas businesses and the public sector.

The company had operated the plane on a long-term contract for the government’s Marine and Fisheries Resources Surveillance service.