A plane missed the Bali runway and landed in the sea, injuring 45 people.

Plane misses Bali runway and lands in sea, 45 injured

Denpasar, Indonesia: An Indonesian plane carrying more than 100 passengers broke in two after missing the runway at Bali airport on Saturday and landing in the sea, leaving dozens injured but no fatalities.

The Boeing 737-800 was operated by budget airline Lion Air, a rapidly expanding carrier which recently sealed blockbuster orders for hundreds of new planes but is banned from US and European airspace over safety concerns.

The domestic flight ended with passengers screaming in terror as the aircraft hit the water after missing the runway at the popular resort island’s Denpasar airport, despite fine weather.

The plane came to rest partially submerged in the water not far from the end of the runway, with inflatable slides deployed from the front exits and a gaping crack in the fuselage towards the rear.

Passengers in life jackets could be seen in the water.

“The plane was about to land when suddenly it fell into the sea. People on board panicked and began screaming,” said a passenger named Dewi, her voice still shaking.

She received light head injuries and was taken to Denpasar hospital.

“There were 45 passengers who needed hospital treatment after being injured, but I cannot say whether their injuries were light or serious,” an airport spokeswoman said.

Bali is a hugely popular holiday destination, welcoming millions of foreign tourists from around the world every year.

Three foreigners were on board the Lion Air flight — a Frenchman, a Singaporean woman and a Singaporean man, according to the airport’s head of communications.

Transport ministry official Herry Bhakti initially said the plane overshot the runway, but later clarified his comments to say it landed straight in the water. Officials said they were still determining exactly why it ditched.

A Lion Air spokesman said the aircraft was arriving from the city of Bandung in West Java province with 101 passengers and seven crew members on board. The passengers included 95 adults, five children, and one baby.

He said the aircraft was relatively new, having started operating in 2012, and that the national transportation safety committee “will investigate the cause of the incident.”

“The plane broke into two pieces,” he said, adding that “judging from visual observation, the plane cannot be used any more.”

Lion Air, a little-known carrier launched 13 years ago with just one plane, has in recent times struck two of the world’s largest aircraft orders in a staggering $46 billion bet on Indonesia’s air transport boom.

France announced last month that Indonesia’s fastest-growing airline had agreed to buy 234 medium-haul A320 jets worth $23.8 billion (18.4 billion euros) from European aerospace giant Airbus.

That came after Lion Air astounded the industry with a $22.4 billion deal for 230 Boeing 737 airliners, inked in 2011 during a visit to Indonesia by US President Barack Obama.

But experts have raised concerns that the airline’s rapid growth could put safety at risk, with some pointing out that there is a lack of qualified pilots in Indonesia to fly the fast-increasing number of planes.

Lion Air is banned from European Union and US airspace, while in Indonesia it has a poor reputation for safety and reliability.

Between 2004 and 2006, it suffered a series of six accidents, in which no one died, and which all involved planes overshooting the runway or missing it entirely.

Founded in 1999 by brothers Kusnan and Rusdi Kirana, who are ranked the 33rd richest Indonesians with collective wealth of $900 million, Lion Air is the first private airline in Indonesia, a sprawling archipelago nation.

Its 72 destinations are mostly in Indonesia, and the furthest it flies is to Saudi Arabia — a route mostly packed with domestic workers and construction laborers.

Bali

Bali, an Indonesian island known for its stunning landscapes and vibrant culture, is often called the “Island of the Gods” due to its deep-rooted Hindu traditions that blend with local animist beliefs. Its history dates back to at least the 1st century CE, with significant

Bali

Bali is a famous Indonesian island known for its stunning beaches, terraced rice paddies, and vibrant culture rooted in Balinese Hinduism, which blends local traditions with Indian influences. Its history includes the Majapahit Empire’s influence in the 14th century and later colonization by the Dutch, though it maintained much of its distinct cultural identity. Today, Bali is a global tourist destination, celebrated for its arts, temples, and traditional ceremonies.

Denpasar airport

Denpasar Airport, officially known as I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, is the main gateway to Bali, Indonesia. Originally built in 1931 under Dutch colonial rule as a small airstrip, it was later expanded and named after a Balinese national hero. The airport features a distinctive Balinese architectural style and serves millions of tourists annually, making it a vital hub for travel to the island.

Bandung

Bandung, the capital of West Java, Indonesia, is a vibrant city known for its colonial architecture and cool mountain climate. Historically, it gained prominence as a center of the Dutch East Indies’ plantation economy and later hosted the historic 1955 Asia-Africa Conference, which was a pivotal event for the Non-Aligned Movement. Today, it is a popular destination for its creative culture, culinary scene, and surrounding natural beauty.

West Java province

West Java, located on the island of Java in Indonesia, is a culturally rich province known for its stunning volcanic landscapes and the traditional Sundanese culture. Historically, it was a center of powerful Hindu kingdoms, such as the Kingdom of Sunda, before coming under Dutch colonial rule and later becoming a key region in Indonesia’s struggle for independence. Today, it is famous for cities like Bandung, its vibrant arts, and natural attractions such as the Kawah Putih crater lake and the Bogor Botanical Gardens.

Indonesia

Indonesia is a Southeast Asian archipelago nation with over 17,000 islands, known for its immense cultural and biological diversity. Its history includes powerful Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms like Srivijaya and Majapahit, followed by centuries of Dutch colonial rule, before declaring independence in 1945. Today, it is the world’s fourth most populous country, with a rich blend of traditions, languages, and religions, including the world’s largest Muslim population.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is a country in the Middle East that was unified in 1932 under King Abdulaziz Al Saud. It is the birthplace of Islam and home to its two holiest cities, Mecca and Medina, making it a central hub for millions of Muslim pilgrims each year. Historically, the region was home to ancient civilizations and trade routes, but its modern economy and global influence have been largely shaped by the discovery of oil in the 1930s.

European Union

The European Union (EU) is a unique political and economic union of 27 European countries, established after World War II to foster peace, stability, and cooperation. Its origins trace back to the 1951 European Coal and Steel Community, evolving through treaties like the 1992 Maastricht Treaty to create a single market, common currency (the euro), and shared policies. Today, the EU promotes free movement of people, goods, and services, while addressing global challenges such as climate change and trade.

United States

The United States of America is a large, diverse nation in North America, founded on July 4, 1776, after declaring independence from Great Britain. Its history includes westward expansion, the Civil War over slavery, and periods of immigration and industrial growth. Today, it is a global cultural and economic power, known for its mix of landscapes, cities, and landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and the Grand Canyon.