Large amounts of debris and passengers' possessions floating in the sea after Lion Air plane crash in Indonesia

Rescuers found debris floating in the sea after Lion Air flight JT 610 crashed off the island of Perairan Karawang in Indonesia this morning (October 29).

The Boeing 737 plane was carrying 189 people, including crew and passengers, when it lost contact with air traffic control at 6:3 0am shortly after taking off from Jakarta.

The plane was flying from the capital to the city of Pangkal Pinang at 1,113 metres above sea level.

Pilots requested to return to base shortly before losing contact, said Yohanes Sirait, a spokesman for the country's air navigation authorities.

Muhammad Syaugi, head of the search-and-rescue agency, said wreckage had been found near where the aircraft lost contact.