At least 31 dead as jet skids

At least 31 people were killed and many others injured when a jet carrying 153 passengers and crew crashed on landing yesterday in heavy rain in Indonesia's central Java. Indonesia's Metro TV, quoting the central Java police chief, said 31 were dead...

At least 31 people were killed and many others injured when a jet carrying 153 passengers and crew crashed on landing yesterday in heavy rain in Indonesia's central Java.

Indonesia's Metro TV, quoting the central Java police chief, said 31 were dead and "tens" more hurt. Police officials told Reuters the death toll was 23 dead, with 61 hurt.

The accident happened as the McDonnell-Douglas MD-82, operated by budget domestic carrier Lion Air, landed in Solo city from the capital, Jakarta, around dusk.

At least one wing ripped off the plane, which came to rest in a nearby cemetery surrounded by rice fields after the aircraft skidded off the runway, witnesses said. The fuselage was badly damaged, they added.

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