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62 People Missing After Indonesian Jet Disappears After Takeoff

Indonesian transportation officials said the plane lost contact with air traffic controllers 44 minutes after taking off from Jakarta.
Posted at 10:25 AM, Jan 09, 2021
and last updated 2021-01-09 10:25:08-05

An Indonesian passenger jet carrying 62 people on board has gone missing over the Java Sea.

The airline, Sriwijaya Air, said the plane was on a 90 minute flight from Jakarta to Pontianak when it disappeared.

An Indonesian Transportation spokesperson said the plane, a Boeing 737, took off from Jakarta at 1:56 p.m. and lost contact with the tower at 2:40.

Footage shows family and friends hugging and crying as the passengers waited for the plane to arrive. Local media reported that fishermen found metal objects - believed to be part of the missing jet.

A search and rescue mission is underway.