Indonesian Plane Crash: Death Toll Rises To 138; Propeller Didn't Work During The Accident, Official Says
There are 135 people who died after a plane crashed in the city of Medan, capital province of North Sumatra, Indonesia. According to an official, the propeller wasn't working on one of the engines, thus leading to the accident.
Air Marshal Agus Supriatna, the chief of the Indonesian Air Force, told reporters on Thursday that the initial finding of the crash of C-130 Hercules suggests the crash may have been caused by problems in the engine. The plane smashed into the city of Medan and authorities found out it was carrying 122 people, including military personnel and their families.
The pilot asked control tower for permission to return to base shortly before the four-engine turboprop plane went down. There’s a witness who saw the plane appeared to lose its control and power before it descend.
The tragedy left piles of burning wreckage and broken buildings in Medan. Indonesian President Joko Widodo called for a review of military equipment. According to CNN, the C-130 plane was 50 years old.
Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean and Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen sent their condolence letters to Indonesian authorities, including President Widodo on July 2. “I was saddened to hear of the tragic crash of the military plane in Medan on 30 June 2015,” Mr Loong wrote in a letter to Mr Widodo Widodo.
“On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Singapore, I extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to the families who lost their loved ones in this tragedy. Our heartfelt sympathies also go to those who were injured in this tragic accident,” he continued.
The deadly plane crash in Indonesia has put country’s ageing military equipment in spotlight, thus the president plans to increase the budget of their defence. According to AFP, the Indonesian Armed Forces reduced its financial status since the 1998 downfall of dictator General Suharto. During his term, he gave the Armed Forces a prominent life, thus the reluctance to give the military more money for the budget of the equipment following his resignation.
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