It is believed there were 28 passengers on the aircraft. Photo / Thinkstock
It is believed there were 28 passengers on the aircraft. Photo / Thinkstock
A New Zealander is reported to have survived a deadly plane crash in Papua New Guinea.
Airlines PNG has confirmed one of its Dash 8 aircraft has crashed near Madang and grounded its fleet of 12 aircraft until further notice.
In a statement on its website, the airline said therewere 28 passengers and four crew members on the plane and there appeared to be some survivors, while a number of people remained unaccounted for.
A Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson said the New Zealand High Commission was working to confirm the nationalities of those involved and could not yet confirm a New Zealander was involved was aboard.
Sky News Australia reported a New Zealander and an Australian were aboard and survived the crash.
"We are sad to confirm that there has been an accident involving an Airlines PNG Dash 8 aircraft near Madang late Thursday afternoon," the airline's media statement said.
"Airlines PNG is working with the emergency service authorities to confirm this information in more detail."
It said a full investigation was under way by authorities and Airlines PNG as to the possible cause of the accident.
