Civilians allowed to board Hercules aircraft that belongs to Indonesian air force - Defence Minister

Civilians in Indonesia are generally allowed to board the Indonesian Air Force's Hercules aircraft as a means of transport to destinations without road connections.

Indonesian Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu was quoted by a local television news broadcast agency as saying that it was not a problem if there were civilians who boarded the Hercules because it has long been in practice.

"If they want to go along (of course) they can (board the plane belonging to the air force). It has been like that from before," he said adding that allowing civilians on board the Hercules for free was an effort to strengthen ties between the army and the people.

Ryamizard also denied reports by a local media that civilians were allegedly charged to board military aircraft.

Local media had quoted some family members of civilians who had boarded the ill-fated plane, claiming they were charged between Rp800,000 to Rp1 million for a trip to the Riau Islands.

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Military plane crashes in residential area of Medan

The Hercules aircraft which was carrying 122 people including 12 crew crashed at Jalan Letjen Jamin Ginting, Padang Bulan, Medan, North Sumatra, yesterday.

The 1964-made aircraft crashed at 11.48am local time, just two minutes after taking off from the Soewondo Air Force Base in Kota Medan, crushing into a row of shop houses, a spa and a traditional treatment centre.

All passengers and crew were reported killed and dozens of civilians were also found dead under the rubble and wreckage.

So far 142 bodies have been found while the search and rescue operation continues.