Garuda Indonesia jet in flames after airport crash

JAKARTA, Mar 7 (Reuters) A jet from Indonesia's state carrier Garuda crashed and burst into flames on landing at Yogyakarta airport today morning, an airline spokesman said.

He gave no other details, but the Indonesia state news agency Antara said the plane crashed and exploded at 0700 hrs local time and passengers were trapped inside the burning fuselage.

''It is true that a plane caught fire while landing. It happened when it overshot beyond the runway and burst into flames,'' Yogyakarta provincial secretary Bambang Susanto told Reuters through texted messages.

''The number of passengers is still unclear but we know that there are passengers being treated at the air force hospital,'' he added.

The make and type of the aircraft was not immediately available, but Antara said the flight number was GA-200, which would be a Jakarta to Yogyakarta flight.

Indonesia has suffered from a string of transport accidents in recent months, including an Adam Air plane that disappeared in January with 102 passengers and crew on board, and a ferry sinking in late December in which hundreds died.

Reuters SRS VP0655