"The evacuation effort was not easy."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Agung Laksono said all medical expenses of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 victims would be borne by the government.

The minister declared this in a press conference at the Halim Perdanakusumah airbase in Jakarta on Friday, following the rescue team,s discovery of 12 bodies at the plane crash site in Mount Salak, West Java.

"The evacuation effort was not easy, considering the rough terrain and bad weather conditions, but the rescue team has worked pretty hard to find the passengers` bodies," Agung said.

The identification process will be carried out in cooperation with Russian experts.

Agung said Sukhoi Corporation, as the owner of the aircraft, and its local partner had insured all passengers on board, and so had the Indonesian government.

The ill-fated aircraft crashed into Mount salak, West Java, on Wednesday, May 9, 2012.

"The land rescue team has found 12 lifeless bodies, but we still unable to identify them," National Search And Rescue Ageny Chief Daryatmo said in a press conference at the Halim Perdanakusumah airbase in Jakarta on Friday.

The condition of the passengers` bodies is also not clear yet.

The joint rescue team comprises members of the National Search and Rescue Agency, Indonesian Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Police, and Mobile Brigade.

Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft is the first commercial jet aircraft manufactured by Russia`s Sukhoi company and was certified by the Federation Aviation Association (FAA) of the United States two years ago.

The crashed Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft was carrying about 50 invited guests, including businessmen, officials, and five journalists, during a promotional event ahead of the sale of the Russian aircraft series in Indonesia. The aircraft made two demonstration flights at the Halim Perdanakusumah airport in Jakarta. The second one was its last.
(L.A051*A050/INE/KR-BSR/B003)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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