KNKT looks into Merpati accident

JAYAPURA, Papua: The National Commission on Transportation Safety (KNKT) has launched an investigation into the cause of the Merpati Airlines accident when it skidded off the runway at Rendani Airport in Manokwari on Tuesday.

"We are still collecting evidence," KNKT team head Yoseph Tumenggung told reporters in Manokwari on Wednesday. The team is scheduled to stay in Manokwari for a week.

Manokwari Military Command chief Let. Col. Leo Rajendra said the plane wreckage was still in the river and it was unclear when it would be evacuated.

The Boeing 737 jetliner was flying from Jakarta to Makassar, Sorong and Manokwari.

Papua Police spokesman Comr. Agus Rianto said the plane was carrying 97 passengers when it skidded into the river.

The plane broke into three sections and injured 70 people. Some of the injured have returned home, while 16 others are undergoing treatment at a Navy hospital in Manokwari and 22 at the Manokwari General Hospital. Merpati Airlines spokesman Sugandi said no Merpati flights to and from Papua had been delayed due to the accident. - JP