The leaders of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) observed the moment of silence before a state banquet hosted by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as the chairman of ASEAN 2011.
They observed the moment of silence at the request of President Yudhoyono. The state banquet was held as part of a series of the on-going 18th ASEAN Summit held here on Saturday and Sunday (May 7-8, 2011).
"I call on you to jointly observe a moment of silence in respect for those who died in the tragic accident," President Yudhyono said.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had earlier ordered the evacuation of the victims of the aircraft which crashed in Papua and killed 27 people on Saturday.
Presidential Spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha said on the sidelines of the 18th ASEAN Summit Saturday evening that the head of state had received a report on the crash of the turbo-prop airplane about 400 meters from Kaimana airport.
"Take immediate safety measures and evacuate the victims," the presidential spokesman quoted the president as saying.
He said that the president had not yet made a follow-up instruction, though investigations would surely be carried out later on the causes of the crash.
The Transportation Ministry has confirmed that a Merpati Airlines` MA-60 turbo-prop aircraft has crashed into Kaimana district, West Papua province, on Saturday, killing 27 people aboard, including its pilot and co-pilot.
"The plane crashed as it was trying to make an emergency landing due to bad weather," Head of Public Communication Center of the Ministry of Transportation Bambang S Ervan said here on Saturday.
He said the ill-fated airplane was flying the Sorong-Kaimana route, carrying 18 passengers, two children and one infant. It also included the pilot, co-pilot and two technicians on board.HAJM/A014/H-YH
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
