Boeing with more than 100 aboard crashes in Indonesia

An Indonesian jetliner operated by Mandala Airlines and carrying 109 passengers crashed just after takeoff from Medan city on Monday, officials said.

Local Metro TV said there were casualties from the crash, but there were no precise details.

"I have received information from Mandala that the plane was a Mandala plane, a 737-200. The airline reported there was 109 passengers on board," Transport Minister Hatta Radjasa told El Shinta radio station.

He did not give a clear figure for the number of crew.

The plane came down 500 meters from the runway in Medan, Indonesia's third biggest city, the minister said, reports Reuters.

According to BBC, the Boeing 737 was heading to the Indonesian capital Jakarta when it crashed.

"We're having a hard time getting to the bodies because of the heat," the doctor, Syahrial Anas, told AP.

Television images showed firefighters trying to extinguish the fire, and several destroyed vehicles and houses could be seen.