Russian plane missing near Jakarta: no sign of survivors

 The Russian Sukhoi airplane was on demonstration flight from Halim Perdanakusuma airport when it went missing near Salak Moutain in Western Java province. It was carrying Indonesian businessmen, 8 Russians, including embassy officials, Russian pilots and technicians, and journalists (2 were Italians): 44 to 50 passengers on board. 2 were Italians.

After the plane was spotted early on Thursday, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono demanded a speedy rescue in the hopes of finding survivors.

Saving the victims who are still alive is priority

But the rescue team didn’t arrive yet on the slope of the Salak Mountain, to access the condition of the plane or if there are survivors. Soldiers, some carrying climbing ropes, also trooped up forested slopes towards the crash site, a Reuters witness said.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono also demanded investigation into the crash of the Russian plane, during a press conference at Halim Perdanakusuma airport.

I hope an investigation can be done into the cause of the falling airplane. I’m concerned because there were more than 40 passengers and they are our citizens, including journalists.