A Boeing 737 passenger plane has crashed into the sea after disappearing shortly after takeoff when it plunged “10,000ft” into the ocean.
The Sriwijaya Air passenger plane lost contact after taking off from Indonesian capital Jakarta earlier today en route to Pontianak in West Kalimantan province.
It’s been reported the flight fell 10,000ft in less than one minute, about four minutes after taking off.
It had more than 50 people on board.
Flightradar24 tweeted: “We are following reports of a missing Boeing 737-500 in Indonesia. We hope to have more information soon.”
Photo: Parts of the wreckage have already been pulled from the sea.
The flight monitoring website later added: “Sriwijaya Air flight #SJ182 lost more than 10,000 feet of altitude in less than one minute, about 4 minutes after departure from Jakarta.”
Passenger records also have details of 5 children on board and at least 53 adults, it is unclear if this number includes air staff.
Sriwijaya Air said in a statement it is still gathering more detailed information regarding the flight before it can make any statement.
According to CNBC Indonesia, the flight vanished at 2.40 pm local time, moments after taking off from Soekarno-Hatta airport.
The last location of the plane was in the waters of the Java Sea above Banten Province.
The Boeing 737 vanished minutes after take-off (stock photo) (Image: Mike Fuchslocher / Alamy Stock Photo)
The Sriwijaya Air passenger plane lost contact after taking off from Indonesian capital Jakarta
The Sriwijaya Air plane lost contact around Lancang Island, Thousand Islands, the manager of branch communication and legal at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Haerul Anwar, said.
The Indonesian Transport Ministry spokesperson, Adita Irawati, confirmed that there had been a loss of contact with the Sriwijaya Air aircraft, reports CNBC Indonesia.
“We are currently under investigation and coordinated with Basarnas and the National Transportation Accident Committee (KNKT),” said Adita.
Sriwijaya Air is one of the Indonesian domestic leading airlines. It carries over 1,000,000 passengers per month, from its hub at Soekarno Hatta International Airport to more than 55 destinations in 2 regional countries, including extraordinary and popular tourism spots in Indonesia.
