AKARTA, Indonesia — A Lion Air passenger plane crashed shortly after take-off Monday morning from Jakarta with 189 people aboard, according to news reports.
[ >> PHOTOS: Lion Air jet with 189 aboard crashes in sea off Indonesia ]
Here are the latest updates:
Widodo said people should "keep on praying" as rescuers continue to search for victims, the AP reported.
Update 6:11 a.m. EDT Oct. 29: An Indonesian rescue official said no survivors are expected in Monday's jet crash, The Associated Press is reporting.
Update 5:12 a.m. EDT Oct. 29: Indonesia's president, Joko Widodo, has called for the National Commission for Transportation Safety to investigate Monday's crash, according to The Associated Press.
Update 3:42 a.m. EDT Oct. 29: Indonesian search and rescue officials "will not speculate on the cause of the crash until the black box is found," the Guardian reported. Authorities said the plane had experienced a "technical issue" on an earlier flight, but the problem reportedly had been resolved.
Meanwhile, Lion Air identified the pilots and crew members on board Flight JT610, according to the Guardian. They include Bhavye Suneja, the captain; co-pilot Harvino; and crew members Citra Noivita Anggelia, Deny Maula, Shintia Melina, Damayanti Simarmata, Alviani Hidayatul Solikha and Mery Yulianda. Suneja, who has been with the airline more than seven years, has logged about 6,000 flight hours, while Harvino has more than 5,000, the Guardian reported.
Boeing also released the following statement on the crash:
“The Indonesia Ministry of Transportation has confirmed it has located the wreckage of Lion Air Flight JT 610, a 737 MAX 8 en route from Jakarta to Pangkal Pinang.
“The Boeing Company is deeply saddened by the loss of Flight JT 610. We express our concern for those on board, and extend heartfelt sympathies to their families and loved ones.
“Boeing stands ready to provide technical assistance to the accident investigation. In accordance with international protocol, all inquiries about aviation accident investigations must be directed to the Indonesia’s National Transportation Safety Committee (NTSC).”
Update 2:29 a.m. EDT Oct. 29: Rescue crews have spotted debris in the Java Sea, including cellphones, driver's licenses and clothes, according to the Guardian.
Serpihan pesawat Lion Air JT 610 yang jatuh di Perairan Karawang banyak ditemukan mengapung di permukaan laut. Kapal USV Fulmar menemukan serpihan berupa pelampung, HP dan lainnya. Basarnas dibantu Kementerian Perhubungan, TNI, Polri & relawan terus lakulan evakuasi. <a href="https://t.co/A4wjeoE5tl">pic.twitter.com/A4wjeoE5tl</a>
Meanwhile, an Indonesian air navigation authority spokesman said the missing flight "requested a return to the airport shortly before it crashed," the Guardian reported. Air traffic control approved the request.
Original report: A Lion Air passenger plane crashed shortly after take-off Monday morning from Jakarta with 189 people aboard, according to news reports.
BREAKING: Lion Air flight from Jakarta to Pangkal Pinang has crashed - Indonesia search and rescue official <a href="https://t.co/n2cDsIKt6i">pic.twitter.com/n2cDsIKt6i</a>
Flight JT-610 was heading from the Indonesian capital to the main city in the Bangka Belitung Islands, Pangkal Pinang, according to the BBC, when it crashed into the sea near West Java, The Straits Times reported.
The plane, believed to be a Boeing 737 MAX 8, took off at 6:20 a.m. local time and lost contact with air traffic controllers just after 6:30 a.m.
We're following reports that contact has been lost with Lion Air flight <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JT610?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JT610</a> shortly after takeoff from Jakarta.<br/> <br/> ADS-B data from the flight is available at <a href="https://t.co/zNM33cM0na">https://t.co/zNM33cM0na</a> <a href="https://t.co/NIU7iuCcFu">pic.twitter.com/NIU7iuCcFu</a>
"We cannot give any comment at this moment. We are trying to collect all the information and data," airline chief executive Edward Sirait told Reuters.
Indonesia media outlets are reporting that a tugboat crew near Tanjung Priok reported seeing plane debris in the water.
There were 178 adults on board the flight, one child, two babies and a flight crew of eight, the BBC reported.
On board crashed Lion Air <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JT610?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JT610</a> plane:<br/> <br/> - 178 adults<br/> - 1 child<br/> - 2 babies<br/> - 2 pilots and 5 flight attendants<br/> <br/> More updates: <a href="https://t.co/o5gy7wiMZu">https://t.co/o5gy7wiMZu</a>
Check back for more on this developing story.