An Indonesian airliner carrying at least around 110 passengers and crew has crashed shortly after take-off from the city of Medan on Sumatra island.
Officials said at least 60 people are reported to have died.
The Boeing 737-200 aircraft, operated by low cost carrier Mandala, was en route to the Indonesian capital of Jakarta when it ploughed into a residential area.
Local government spokesman Edi Sofyan said: “The plane crashed into houses and landed on the road. It is now in pieces. I expect the death toll to be around 100.”
According to the transport minister, there were 109 passengers on board although the airline’s insurer said there were 117 passengers and an unspecified number of crew.
An investigation is underway to establish the cause of the accident.
Report by Steve Jones















