An AirAsia flight with about 160 people on board en route from Surabaya, Indonesia to Singapore lost contact with air traffic control earlier in the day.


JAKARTA, December 28 (Sputnik) — AirAsia flight QZ 8501 has crashed into water after experiencing severe turbulence and trying to change the course, Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency said Sunday.

"AirAsia Airbus A320, flight QZ 8501, flying from Surabaya [Indonesia] to Singapore fell into water near Belitung island [Indonesia]," Republika newspaper quoted the agency's representative as saying.According to the statement issued by AirAsia, flight QZ8501 has lost contact with air traffic control at 07:24 local time (00:24 GMT). There were 155 passengers on board, including 17 children, two pilots and five cabin crew.

Search and rescue operations are underway under the guidance of The Indonesia of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). AirAsia Indonesia is assisting the investigation.

By Sputnik News

 

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