Indonesia military plane crash saddens Georgia

The tragic crash of an Indonesian military transport plane in North Sumatra has saddened Tbilisi.

Yesterday’s crash claimed the lives of more than 140 people, reported BBC today.

Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili offered his condolences to Indonesian President Joko Widodo and said Georgia stood with the nation of Indonesia in this difficult time.

"On behalf of the Government and people of Georgia, I would like to offer my deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones, also Government and people of Indonesia,” said Garibashvili in his condolence letter.

BBC reported 141 bodies had been recovered from the wreckage. The cause of the crash is not yet known but witnesses said the plane appeared to run into trouble shortly after taking off from Medan, Indonesia’s third largest city, in northern Sumatra.

The military transport plane was believed to be returning to Medan when it crashed into a residential area. None of the 122 people on board the Hercules C-130 survived when it hit houses and a hotel before bursting into flames, said BBC.

Those on board included military personnel and their family members, students and other civilians.

Meanwhile the Indonesian President, Joko Widodo, used Twitter to send his condolences to the victims’ families, and wished them "patience and strength”.

Saya dan keluarga berbela sungkawa atas musibah jatuhnya pesawat Hercules C-130. Semoga keluarga diberikan kesabaran dan kekuatan -Jkw

— Joko Widodo (@jokowi) June 30, 2015