Jetliner crashes and burns in crowded city district

An Indonesian jetliner crashed into a residential district in the city of Medan shortly after takeoff today and burst into flames, killing at least 60 people, the transport minister and a doctor said.

Smoke was billowing from the burning debris and at least one bloodied survivor lay on the ground awaiting help, television footage showed.

The Boeing 737 operated by Mandala Airlines was heading to Jakarta when it crashed, Transport Minister Hatta Radjasa said.

The plane was carrying at least 117 passengers and crew, said the airline’s acting president, Maj. Gen. Hasril Hamzah Tanjung, adding that it was too early to release casualty figures.

Syahrial Anas, a doctor who was overseeing the removal of charred bodies, said at least 60 people were killed. Officials said one of the dead included the governor of North Sumatra province, who was heading to the capital for a meeting with the president.

“We’re having a hard time getting to the bodies, because of the heat,” Anas said.

Hundreds of police, paramedics and residents were trying to evacuate victims, and dozens of houses and at least 10 cars were in flames or damaged.

The airport in Medan, the largest city on Sumatra island, is close to the centre of town and is surrounded by densely populated residential areas.

Indonesia’s last crash involving a jetliner occurred in February 2005, when 26 people were killed when a plane operated by Lion Air, a low-cost carrier, skidded off the runway on Java Island, killing 26 people.

Mandala Airlines is a Jakarta-based domestic carrier founded in 1969 by a military-run foundation. Its 15-plane fleet consists mainly of 1970s-vintage Boeing 737-200 jets. In recent years, the financially troubled airline has been forced to cut services and fares to remain competitive.

Tanjung said an investigation was being carried out into the cause of the crash.

The plane was nearly 25 years old, he said, and received its last comprehensive service in June. It had flown more than 50,000 hours and was due to be retired in 2016.