"We saw an airplane crash around the Malacca Straits," one of the fishermen, identified as Hendra, said here on Monday.
Hendra, along with several fishermen, said they went to the sea on Sunday, March 8, for a week of fishing.
At 11 a.m. local time on Sunday, the fishermen saw a white plane crossing and circling.
Then, the ill-fated plane showed smoke coming from the right rear portion when it circled for a second round and tilted to the left.
A moment later, the plane, flying lower, fell from sight. "We suspect the plane crashed into the sea," he said.
"We could not go to the location where the aircraft was lost due to large waves, and the boat did not have enough fuel," the fisherman said.
The location of the aircraft is believed to be in Idi waters, in Aceh provincial district of East Aceh.
Reporting by Imam Fauzi
(B003/ INE)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
