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13 killed in Papua New Guinea plane crash

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-08-12 19:34

SYDNEY: All 13 people aboard a chartered plane heading to a tourist region of Papua New Guinea were killed when the plane crashed while approaching the rugged terrain during foul weather, Australia's prime minister said Wednesday.

Papua New Guinea officials informed Australia that no survivors were found in the wreckage, which was located in the mountainous Kokoda region earlier Wednesday, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd told Parliament.

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The plane, carrying 11 passengers and two crew, vanished Tuesday morning in bad weather on approach to an airport in the Kokoda region. Nine Australians, one Japanese and three Papua New Guineans were on board. Two of the Australians killed in the crash were a father and a daughter, Rudd said.

"There is a horrible tragedy involved when families send off their loved ones for what they expect to be the experience of a lifetime, only for it to turn into a tragedy such as this," Rudd said.

The twin-engine plane left the capital of Port Moresby en route to an airport near Kokoda Track, a mountainous 60-mile (100-kilometer) trail. The plane's crew radioed air traffic controllers as it was approaching the airstrip, but the aircraft never landed, said Allen Tyson, a spokesman for Airlines PNG.

Officials were not immediately sure what caused the crash. In a statement, the airline said the plane's two pilots were "highly experienced."

"Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected at this very difficult time," the airline said.

Papua New Guinea Transport Minister Don Polye told reporters in Port Moresby that he has ordered an investigation into the airline. He would not speculate on the cause of the crash.

Eight Australian tourists and an Australian tour guide had planned to walk the trail as part of a trek organized by the adventure tour company No Roads Expeditions, the company said. Another guide from Papua New Guinea also was on board, it said.

Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith said the wreckage was located at an altitude of 5,500 feet (1,676 meters) and weather conditions were deteriorating, making searchers' attempts to reach the aircraft by helicopter and on foot very difficult.