Passenger plane with 32 on board crashes in Papua New Guinea

Passenger plane with 32 on board crashes in Papua New Guinea

2011-10-13 21:07:13 GMT+7 (ICT)

PAPUA NEW GUINEA (BNO NEWS) -- A passenger plane carrying more than 30 passenger and crew crashed in the northern region of mainland Papua New Guinea on Thursday afternoon, the airline said.

The accident happened at around 6 p.m. local time when the Dash 8 aircraft operated by Airlines PNG crashed some 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of Madang, the capital city of the province which carries the same name. The aircraft was flying from Lae, the capital of the country's Morobe Province, to Madang.

Airlines PNG confirmed the accident, adding that there were 28 passengers and 4 crew members on board. "There appear to be some survivors while a number of people remain unaccounted for," the airline said in a statement, giving no specific details about casualties. "Airlines PNG is working with the emergency service authorities to confirm this information in more detail."

As a result of the accident, Airlines PNG announced that it has grounded its Dash 8 fleet of 12 aircraft until further notice. It also stated that it is supporting actions being carried out by local authorities who have quarantined aviation fuel at Lae airport from where the aircraft originated.

Local residents said there was harsh stormy weather in the area when the accident occurred, but officials said it was not yet known what caused the accident. "Our prayers and thoughts are now with all those affected by this very sad day for Papua New Guinea," the airline said.

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