Fed: Three rescue teams searching for PNG plane

AAP General News (Australia)
08-12-2009
Fed: Three rescue teams searching for PNG plane

Three separate rescue parties are on their way to the plane that's crashed in dense
jungle in Papua New Guinea with 13 people on board.

Australian Foreign Minister STEPHEN SMITH has told parliament there are grave concerns
for the nine Australians .. three Papua New Guineans and one Japanese tourist.

The Airlines PNG flight CG4684 went missing en route to Kokoda village yesterday morning.

Eight of the Australians were with the No Road Expedition trekking heading for the
iconic Kokoda Track .. the ninth was a tour guide.

The plane wreckage has been found near the village of Isurava in dense and rugged terrain
.. and a local search party is already on its way.

Another two search teams are being launched from Port Moresby to speed up the rescue.

Bad weather's been hampering the operation .. and authorities warn it's closing in again.

AAP RTV so/rl/jmt

KEYWORD: PNG PLANE SMITH (CANBERRA)

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