In Indonesia Monday morning (local time) a passenger plane with at least 180 people on board crashed in the Java Sea.
The Indonesian rescue service reports that shortly after departure there was no contact with the aircraft, which was on its way from Jakarta to Pangkal Pinang on the island of Bangka.
It is a Boeing type 737 MAX 8 from airline Lion Air. In addition to about 180 passengers, two pilots and six staff members would have been on board the aircraft.
We’re following reports that contact has been lost with Lion Air flight #JT610 shortly after takeoff from Jakarta.
ADS-B data from the flight is available at https://t.co/zNM33cM0na pic.twitter.com/NIU7iuCcFu
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) October 29, 2018
Rescue workers on the way to disaster
The Indonesian rescue service reports that the wreckage of the aircraft is located at about 25 kilometers from the airport. A rescue team has been sent to the disaster site to provide assistance.
Chief of the rescue operation, Muhammad Syaugi, says it is not yet known if there are survivors. “We hope, we pray, but we can not confirm anything.”
Edward Sirait, CEO of Lion Air Group, reports that a press conference will follow later on Monday. “At the moment we can not yet give a reaction, we are busy collecting all information and data.”
