New Delhi: A plane carrying 48 people skidded off the runway in Indonesias remote Papua region on Monday, resulting in several injuries, local authorities reported. The incident occurred during takeoff from an airport in the Yapen Islands regency, bound for Jayapura, the capital of Papua. The aircraft involved, an ATR-42 operated by Trigana Air, was carrying 42 passengers, including a baby, and six crew members.Multiple injuries reportedThough all passengers survived, several were reported injured and taken to the hospital for medical checkups. Praise God everybody survived and has been taken to a hospital for a health checkup, said Ardyan Ukie Hercahyo, the local police chief, in a statement. He also confirmed that an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the incident and prevent similar occurrences in the future.BREAKING: Several passengers injured as plane skids off Indonesia runway. pic.twitter.com/25C4yh8OEq— The General (@GeneralMCNews) September 9, 2024Challenging aviation conditions in PapuaThe mountainous terrain and frequent poor weather make flying in Papua particularly hazardous. Indonesia, an archipelago comprising thousands of islands, heavily depends on air travel for connectivity. However, Papuas difficult-to-access location increases the risk of accidents, and the region has experienced several aviation disasters in the past.In 2015, a Trigana Air flight tragically crashed in Papua, claiming the lives of all 54 people aboard. Despite these challenges, air transport remains a critical lifeline for many remote regions in Indonesia.Safety concernsAuthorities are collaborating with various agencies to thoroughly investigate the cause of the runway mishap. The local search and rescue agency reported that in addition to the physical injuries, many passengers were left traumatized by the ordeal.Indonesias aviation sector has a troubling safety record, but this latest incident has once again highlighted the urgent need for improved measures, especially in challenging regions like Papua.
