Search Continues for Indonesian Plane Crash Victims

By Daniel Hawn

Published on January 04, 2007

102 passengers were aboard the flight, including three Americans.

Earlier statements issued by the Indonesian military and police claimed plane wreckage had been found. Among the wreckage, there were a reported 12 survivors and 90 deceased. It was later learned that the truth of these claims, allegedly made by local villagers, had not been confirmed. Military and police have since recanted their original statements.

The 737 is still missing.

Government and military officials have deployed a search and rescue team to the west coast of Sulawesi, where distress calls were last made by the plane and picked up by Singapore satellite. The search is focused on an area of sea and jungle along the coast.

Though the cause of the crash is still unknown, the plane’s two Emergency Locator Transmitters are sending signals from two different locations, an indication that the plane may have blown up midair.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is scheduled to review the situation with his officials and ministers.

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