'No survivors' at PNG crash site

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8196668.stm

Version 0 of 1.

Rescue workers have found no survivors from a passenger plane that crashed in Papua New Guinea on Tuesday, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says.

Mr Rudd said rescuers had reached the crash site, but there was no hope of finding anyone alive. Nine Australians were among 13 people on board.

The Airlines PNG flight was heading from the capital, Port Moresby, to the tourist area of Kokoda.

It disappeared shortly before it was due to land.

As well as nine Australians, the plane was carrying one Japanese and one Papua New Guinean passenger, and two local pilots.

'Horrible tragedy'

In a statement to parliament, Mr Rudd said he had "distressing news" for the families of those on board.

I have requested the ministers of the various responsible authorities to commence investigations into the accident Michael Somare PNG prime minister

"[The] Australian high commissioner in Papua New Guinea [has] been informed by Papua New Guinean officials on the ground at the crash site that they had concluded that there were no survivors from the crash," he said.

"There is a horrible tragedy involved when families send off their loved ones for what they expect to be the experience of a lifetime, only for it to turn into a tragedy such as this."

The twin-engine plane left the capital of Port Moresby bound for an airport near the Pacific island-nation's Kokoda Track, a mountainous 60-mile (100km) trekking trail.

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Michael Somare expressed "great sadness" over the crash.

"I have requested the ministers of the various responsible authorities to commence investigations into the accident and to furnish a report to cabinet," he said.

No official explanation has yet been given for the crash.

In a statement, the airline said the plane's two pilots were "highly experienced", adding: "Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected at this very difficult time."

Mountainous terrain and lack of roads make air travel vital for the nation's six million people.

But crashes are fairly frequent - at least 19 planes are reported to have come down since 2000.