Rescuers are battling to reach a remote, mountainous site in eastern Indonesia where debris has been spotted after a plane crash.
Photo: Trigana Air
The Trigana Air plane was carrying 54 people and there are now reports that it also had cash worth more than $A500,000 ($NZ562,990) on board.
AFP Indonesia news editor Sam Reeves, told Checkpoint the money, in four bags, was being transported by postal officials for distribution to poor families.
"In Papua, that's actually relatively common," he said.
"Because so many communities are remote and can only be accessed by plane, from time to time money will be spent on small aircraft like this, kind of government funds to be distributed.
"That, apparently, has all disappeared so that will be a huge blow to families there as well, who were expecting that."
