An Indonesian jet with 140 people on board has crashed and burst into flames on landing at Yogyakarta in Java.
An Indonesian jet with 140 people on board has crashed and burst into flames on landing at Yogyakarta in Java.
At least 21 bodies have been recovered from the plane, and some reports put the death toll as high as 49. Ninety-five people survived.
At least 21 bodies have been recovered from the plane, and some reports put the death toll as high as 49. Ninety-five people survived.
Indonesia's president immediately announced an investigation into the crash of the Garuda Boeing 737-400.
Indonesia's president immediately announced an investigation into the crash of the Garuda Boeing 737-400.
The crash in Yogyakarta, 440km (270 miles) south-east of Jakarta, happened at about 0700 (0000 GMT).
The crash in Yogyakarta, 440km (270 miles) south-east of Jakarta, happened at about 0700 (0000 GMT).
'Too fast'
'Too fast'
Survivors say a large number of passengers escaped through emergency doors before the plane burst into flames.
Survivors say a large number of passengers escaped through emergency doors before the plane burst into flames.
The jet reportedly started shaken violently before landing.
The jet reportedly started shaking violently before landing.
Some passengers wanted to get their hand luggage. I cried to them, 'get out, get out' Din Syamsudin, survivor
Some passengers wanted to get their hand luggage. I cried to them, 'get out, get out' Din Syamsudin, survivor
The operations chief at Yogyakarta airport said the front wheel of the plane was on fire as it landed, causing it to veer off the runway and hit a boundary fence.
The operations chief at Yogyakarta airport said the front wheel of the plane was on fire as it landed, causing it to veer off the runway and hit a boundary fence.
He said an engine had then broken away from the plane and the fuselage burst into flames. The aircraft came to rest in the middle of a rice field.
He said an engine had then broken away from the plane and the fuselage burst into flames. The aircraft came to rest in the middle of a rice field.
First Air Marshal Benyamin Dandel, air force commander at Yogyakarta, said: "The plane was too fast or over-speeding, so it ran about 300 metres off the runway."
First Air Marshal Benyamin Dandel, air force commander at Yogyakarta, said: "The plane was too fast or over-speeding, so it ran about 300 metres off the runway."
Some survivors said the fire started near the front the plane and spread quickly down the fuselage.
Some survivors said the fire started near the front the plane and spread quickly down the fuselage.
One survivor, Din Syamsudin, who is the chairman of Indonesia's second-largest Muslim organisation, Muhammadiyah, told Reuters: "Some passengers wanted to get their hand luggage. I cried to them, 'get out, get out'.
One survivor, Din Syamsudin, who is the chairman of Indonesia's second-largest Muslim organisation, Muhammadiyah, told Reuters: "Some passengers wanted to get their hand luggage. I cried to them, 'get out, get out'.
"The plane was full of smoke. I just jumped from two metres and landed in a rice field."
"The plane was full of smoke. I just jumped from two metres and landed in a rice field."
A number of survivors are being treated in hospital for severe injuries or burns.
A number of survivors are being treated in hospital for severe injuries or burns.
The blaze took two hours to put out and gutted the jet.
The blaze took two hours to put out and gutted the jet.
Conference
Conference
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said there were nine Australians on board, four of whom were missing.
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said there were nine Australians on board, four of whom were missing.
They included officials and journalists covering his planned visit to Java for a counter-terrorism conference.
They included officials and journalists covering his planned visit to Java for a counter-terrorism conference.
Prime Minister John Howard said the country should be "prepared for bad news" as there could well be Australian fatalities.
Prime Minister John Howard said the country should be "prepared for bad news" as there could well be Australian fatalities.
But he said he had not received any information suggesting either sabotage or terrorism.
But he said he had not received any information suggesting either sabotage or terrorism.
A spokesman for Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the Indonesian president was launching an investigation to examine all possible causes, including technical failure, human error and sabotage.
A spokesman for Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the Indonesian president was launching an investigation to examine all possible causes, including technical failure, human error and sabotage.
There have been a number of terrorist attacks in Indonesia in recent years, many of them targeting Westerners.
There have been a number of terrorist attacks in Indonesia in recent years, many of them targeting Westerners.
The BBC's Lucy Williamson in Jakarta says the incident also comes at a time when Indonesia's poor transport safety record is under the spotlight following a recent string of disasters.
The BBC's Lucy Williamson in Jakarta says the incident also comes at a time when Indonesia's poor transport safety record is under the spotlight following a recent string of disasters.
In January an Adam Air plane, also a Boeing 737-400, disappeared with 102 passengers and crew on board, and in December hundreds died when a ferry sank in the Java Sea.
In January an Adam Air plane, also a Boeing 737-400, disappeared with 102 passengers and crew on board, and in December hundreds died when a ferry sank in the Java Sea.
Are you in Yogyakarta? Did have friends or relatives who were on the plane? Email us with your account below.
Are you in Yogyakarta? Did have friends or relatives who were on the plane? Email us with your account below.
