According to ITV, five crew members and eight passengers are feared dead after police uniforms and other clothing were retrieved from the sea.

The aircraft P4201 was said to have been flying to the island of Batam near Singapore before it dropped out of contact about 50 minutes after taking off from Bangka island.

Villagers found a seat and a bag containing a cellphone and police documents, a police chief said.

National Search and Rescue Agency chief Henry Bambang Soelistyo said rescuers are searching waters between Mensanak and Sebangka islands.

Local media, which cited the Tanjung Pinang naval base commander, reported that bodies have been recovered by villagers.