Jakarta: A Lion Air Plane is believed to have sunk after the crashing in the sea off Indonesia’s island of Java on Monday.
There are reportedly about 188 people on board.
The aircraft crashed shortly 13 minutes after takeoff, JT610 has lost contact, officials said.
Indonesia’s search and rescue agency’s spokesperson said, “Lion Air flight, JT610, lost contact 13 minutes after takeoff.”
Adding further, the spokesperson said that the falling aircraft was seen by a tug boat which was leaving the capital’s port.
The spokesperson, Yusuf Latif has confirmed that the plane has crashed.
The Lion Air plane is identified by air tracking service Flightradar 24 as a Boeing 737 MAX 8 which can carry up to 200 passengers.
We're following reports that contact has been lost with Lion Air flight #JT610 shortly after takeoff from Jakarta.
ADS-B data from the flight is available at https://t.co/zNM33cM0na pic.twitter.com/NIU7iuCcFu
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) October 29, 2018
According to reports, remnants, including aircraft seats, of the crash have spotted near an offshore refining facility.
At a news conference, Head of the search and rescue agency, Muhmmad Syaugi told, “We don’t know yet whether there are any survivors.”
In 2017, the first Boeing 737 MAX jets were introduced into service.
Malindo Air, the Malaysian subsidiary of Lion Air received the very first universal delivery.
Boeing Airplanes wrote on Twitter that Boeing is aware of the airplane accident reports and is closely monitoring the situation.
