TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A Pilatus Porter plane belonging to Elang Nusantara Air crashed in North Minahasa waters on Tuesday, Antara News reported.
According to the head of the search and rescue office in Manado, Marsono, two persons, pilot Ronny Jastril and engineer Fian Sophian, are feared killed in the incident although a search for their bodies are still on.
"The site of the crash has been located and a team of rescuers from Basarnas (National Search and Rescue Agency), the navy, marine police and local fishermen are searching for the two," he said.
He noted that the team has also been searching the plane wreckage and has recovered marine detectors for evacuation.
"The team has so far discovered two plane tires, tail, and two backpacks, believed to be of the missing persons," he added.
Marsono pointed out that the plane was flying from Gorontalo to Ternate but had to be diverted to Manado due to bad weather.
"Around 10:02a.m., the plane lost contact and crashed in Kema waters," he added.
He remarked that all efforts were focused on finding the bodies of the pilot and engineer.
ANTARA | INE | MELKY RUDOLF TUMIWA