Jakarta: An Indonesian police plane crashed off the coast of Riau Islands in Indonesia on Saturday, killing at least 12 people onboard, a media report said.
The aircraft had left Pangkal Pinang in Bangka Island before it crashed into the waters on Saturday morning, the Jakarta Post reported.
The aircraft was on its way to Batam in Riau Islands.
Tanjung Pinang naval base commander First Adm S Irawan said, "An explosion was heard before the plane crash. Pieces of chairs and bodies were found by residents."
The Indonesian Navy has deployed three warships and three patrol boats for rescue efforts.
"We are deploying a ship for an evacuation," National Search and Rescue Agency's Riau Islands head Abdul Hamid said.
Further details were not immediately available.
