Jakarta, June 30 (IANS): At least five people were killed on Tuesday when a military Hercules cargo aircraft crashed into a residential area in Indonesia shortly after takeoff.
The crash occurred near Polonia airport in North Sumatra's capital Medan, The Jakarta Post reported.
The identities of the victims were not immediately known.
According to witnesses, the aircraft crashed at around 11.30 a.m. --gradually losing altitude shortly after take-off and then nose-diving into the ground.
Indonesian Military (TNI) spokesperson Major General Fuad Basya said TNI Commander Gen. Moeldoko has ordered the air force chief to carry out an investigation into the crash.
“The TNI commander has ordered the air force chief to fly to Medan to lead the investigation into the accident,” Fuad said.
The aircraft was transporting military supplies from Medan to Tanjungpinang in the Riau Islands.