Indonesian Lion Air flight crashes in ocean after takeoff from Jakarta

Relatives
of passengers of Lion Air flight JT610 that crashed into the sea,
cry at Depati Amir airport in Pangkal Pinang, Indonesia, October
29, 2018.
Antara Foto/Elza Elvia via
REUTERS

• A Lion Air flight from Jakarta to Pangkalpinang, the
  largest city on Banka island has crashed, according to
  Indonesia search and rescue officials.
• At least 188 people were on board, according to
  authorities.
• The Lion Air flight took off for the 50 minute journey
  to the Banka island across the Natuna Sea off South Sumatra, at
  6:20 a.m. Western Indonesian Time (WIB), Monday.

A Lion Air flight from Jakarta to Pangkalpinang, the largest city
on Banka island has crashed, according to Indonesia search and
rescue officials.

At least 188 people were on board, officials said.

Wreckage had been found near where the plane lost contact with
air traffic officials on the ground, said Muhmmad Syaugi, the
head of the search and rescue agency.

“We don’t know yet whether there are any survivors,” Syaugi told
a news conference. “We hope, we pray, but we cannot confirm.”

The Lion Air flight took off for the 50 minute journey to the
Banka island across the Natuna Sea off South Sumatra, at 6:20
a.m. Western Indonesian Time (WIB), Monday.

According to Indonesian media, TribunNews,
the aircraft’s final contact was at 06.33 WIB with
Jakarta Air Traffic Control.

A spokesman for Lion Air 
reportedly told
local media the airline was trying to find information on the
plane’s location.

Initial data from Flight
Radar 24 suggests the plane went down in coastal waters off
Java.

The Boeing 737 Max-8 model was originally due to land at
Pangkalpinang at 07.10 

In December 2014 an AirAsia Airbus went down in similar waters
between Surabaya and Singapore killing all 162 people on board.

This story is developing. Check back for updates …