Plane with 27 people crashes in eastern Indonesia

MA60 twin turboprop

JAKARTA, Indonesia— A passenger plane carrying 27 people crashed Saturday as it was about to land in Indonesia's eastern province of West Papua, killing at least 15, officials said.

Transportation ministry spokesman Bambang Ervan said the Chinese-made Xian MA60 twin turboprop-powered plane belonging to a state-owned company went down just before landing in Kaimana. The flight originated in Sorong, another town in the province.

Police Lt. Col. Antonius Wantri Julianto said 15 bodies have been found and rescuers are searching for other victims.

Airline chief Jhony Sardjono told the state-run Antara news agency that the plane was carrying 18 adult passengers, two children and a baby. He said the plane was en route from Sorong city to Kaimana airport.

Other news reports spoke of 25 passengers.

'The information I received, the aircraft sank because it was crashed in the deep sea,' Bambang said, adding that rescue workers, joined by local fishermen were searching for the victims.

He said 15 bodies had been discovered so far while 12 others were remained missing and feared dead.