A plane carrying 48 people skidded off the runway in Indonesia’s remote eastern region of Papua on Monday, injuring several passengers. The incident occurred as the ATR-42 aircraft, operated by Trigana Air, was taking off from an airport in the Yapen Islands regency, heading towards the Papuan capital, Jayapura. The flight carried 42 passengers, including a baby, and six crew members.
Thankfully, all passengers and crew survived the incident and were transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation. Local police chief Ardyan Ukie Hercahyo confirmed the survival of all passengers and emphasized that an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the incident and implement measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The local search and rescue agency reported that some passengers sustained injuries and experienced trauma as a result of the incident. Indonesia’s vast archipelago relies heavily on air transportation to connect its thousands of islands, but Papua presents unique challenges due to its mountainous terrain and frequent inclement weather conditions.
The incident underscores the persistent aviation safety concerns in Indonesia, particularly in remote regions like Papua. Notably, in 2015, another Trigana Air plane crashed in Papua, claiming the lives of all 54 people on board. This recent incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with air travel in the region, highlighting the need for enhanced safety measures and rigorous oversight to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
