Eight Aussies on 'missing' PNG plane

[Nigelinoz]

Eight Aussies on 'missing' PNG plane

There are grave fears for a charter flight carrying eight Australians in Papua New Guinea after authorities confirmed it failed to arrive at its destination.
The Twin Otter, twin engine, plane left the PNG capital Port Moresby at 9.30am on Tuesday (local time) but it failed to return by Tuesday afternoon.
Authorities hold fears for the missing 13 people on board, including eight Australians heading to the Kokoda Track.
Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said Airlines PNG had informed the relevant authorities that the plane had failed to arrive and was considered as missing.

 

[docjames]

Watching Ten news, plane found, all safe.

 

[Nigelinoz]

Thats great news docjames.
Thanks very much for posting that

 

[Hvr]

Fears Aussies on missing PNG plane

Paul Millar and Mex Cooper

August 11, 2009 - 6:12PM
Fears are growing that a Melbourne-based tour group was on board a plane that went missing on a flight to the Kokoda Track today.
Airlines of Papua New Guinea (Airlines PNG) has confirmed one of its Twin Otter twin-engine aircraft is missing with 11 passengers and two crew.

Maybe not. This report is a lot more recent than Ch10 news and says they are still missing.

Hope they are safe but there still seems to be current media reports that they are missing.

 

[docjames]

It was just "breaking news" near the end of the report, no source or journalist just the newsreaders announcing.

I hope they're right.

 

[Hvr]

ABC news had it as their lead news story and they are saying it is still missing. DFAT phone lines if you have family on the flight are:
02 6261 6605 or
1300 555 155

 

[docjames]

Latest online 821pm:

Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith tonight confirmed seven Victorians and two Queenslanders were travelling in a tour group to Kokoda, and that they were onboard the Airlines PNG Flight CG 4684 aircraft that went missing this morning.

Apologies for my earlier post reporting plane found, I was only repeating reoprt on Ch10 news. Looks like it's still missing and no doubt as time goes on all the more concern.

 

[Slats7]

I had a relative who was returning to Melbourne today after walking the Kokoda Track and was a bit concerned when I first heard the news. More reports came out though that the plane was traveling to the Track and we eventually got in contact with him and he is safe and back home now.

 

[Nigelinoz]

Latest from the ABC news site here.
Hopes fade for Kokoda crash victims - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

 

[Ikara]

Just heard it reporetd on the radio news that the wreckage had been found. No further details.

JB

 

[Nigelinoz]

Latest update is that wreckage has been found,no survivors.
R.I.P my thoughts,and I am sure those of all AFF members are with the families and friends of the victims.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/08/12/2653214.htm

 

[drron]

And I have just found out one of my colleagues from the Sunshine coast was on that plane.terrible news.

 

[Flashback]

And I have just found out one of my colleagues from the Sunshine coast was on that plane.terrible news.

My condolences for your loss drron.

 

[docjames]

And I have just found out one of my colleagues from the Sunshine coast was on that plane.terrible news.

RIP all on board.

Condolences drron.

 

[Nigelinoz]

R.I.P all on board and sympathy to drron on your loss.

 

[straitman]

Condolences drron.

If it helps at all the helicopter rescue pilot they kept showing at the beginning (David Inau) is an old friend and VERY good at his job though a positive outcome was impossible on this occasion.