MEDAN, Indonesia, June 30 (UPI) -- More than 100 people have died after a Lockheed C-130 Hercules military transport plane crashed into the urban city of Medan, Indonesia, soon after takeoff on Tuesday.
The Indonesia military plane crashed into two houses, a hotel and a car and burst into flames. The plane took off from Soewondo Air Force Base, three miles away. There were 113 people aboard and none are expected to have survived.
At least 66 bodies have been recovered. Only the tail of the plane is recognizable from the debris.
An identification center for victims is being established at the Adam Malik General Hospital in Medan, the capital of the North Sumatra province. The plane was on a mission to the Natuna Islands in the South China Sea to deliver supplies for military personnel.
The plane was built in the United States in the 1960s and was inspected and cleared for flight, according to a military official. An investigation to determine the cause of the crash has been launched.
At least six military aircraft incidents have occurred in Indonesia since 2009, including an F-16 fighter jet catching fire after taking off in Jakarta in April and another military transport plane crashing in Java in 2009, killing 98 people.
