APNG plane crash in Kokoda mountains with 13 on board

From ABC
Authorities in Papua New Guinea believe a plane carrying 13 people including nine Australians may have crashed not far from a village in dense and rugged terrain.

The Government is sending military and civilian personnel to help, but Foreign Minister Stephen Smith says there are grave fears for the safety of the passengers.

He says local authorities have narrowed their search for the plane based on information from villagers

Airlines PNG flight CG4684 took off from Port Moresby this morning for Kokoda, but never made it to its destination.

Mr Smith said there were two Queenslanders and seven Victorians on board. He said their families had been contacted by officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

"We hold grave concerns for their safety and well-being," he said.

"This of course is an agonising time for these families."

Eight of the Australians made up a tour group heading to walk the Kokoda Track, and the other was one of two tour guides on board, tour operator No Roads Expeditions said in a statement.


Defence Force assistance

Defence Minister John Faulkner has announced Australia is sending military and civilian help to Papua New Guinea.

"It is believed that the general vicinity of the crash site has been identified," he said.

"Local search and rescue has already begun, however the aircraft is believed to have been lost in extremely dense and rugged terrain and weather conditions are extremely poor.

"Kokoda holds a very special place in the heart of all Australians, and we will do everything we can to aid this search and rescue operation."

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd spoke to his Papua New Guinean counterpart, Sir Michael Somare, earlier today and offered the help.

The Government says HMAS Success, which has a Sea King helicopter on board, will be off Papua New Guinea by first light tomorrow.

A Caribou aircraft is already in Port Moresby and will also be available.

Senator Faulkner says a C-130 plane with an aero-medical capability and a fully equipped ground party will also be there by morning.

A maritime search and rescue plane and two Black Hawk helicopters are also being sent to Papua New Guinea.

- ABC/AAP