Death toll from Indonesia military plane crash reaches 142
The death toll from an accident involving a military transport plane that crashed into a residential area in Indonesia has reached 142, officials say.
Indonesian officials said on Wednesday that the Hercules C-130 transport plane collided with a number of buildings, including a hotel, in the city of Medan.
Reports say the plane destroyed a number of vehicles as well.
It is not known how many people may have lost their lives on the ground.
Earlier reports said the aircraft was carrying 122 people, including military personnel and their family members. However, some reports say the plane may have been carrying more people.
The Indonesian Air Force says there are no survivors.
So far 62 victims have been identified.
The aircraft crashed shortly after taking off from an airbase in the city of Sumatra. It was headed toward the remote Natuna islands.
The plane had reportedly asked to return to the airport right after it took off.
The cause of the crash, which took place about two minutes after take-off, is still not known.
Following the crash, Indonesian President Joko Widodo called for an overhaul of the aging aircraft in the country.
Jakarta has a poor civil aviation record. The recent incident is the sixth involving an Indonesian air force aircraft in the past 10 years.
SZH/HJL/HRB
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