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SYDNEY - A passenger who survived the crash of a Garuda aircraft in Indonesia today says there was panic aboard the aircraft after it caught fire.
Dozens of people were killed when the aircraft, which was carrying Australian journalists and diplomats, crashed and burst into flames after landing in the Indonesian city of Yogyakarta.
Ruth Bamggadan said she was sitting near the emergency exit when the plane came to rest.
"One of my colleagues, she told everybody to stay calm and leave their belongings," Ms Bamggadan told CNN.
"People were panicking, it was really chaotic.
"A lot of people were able to get out of the plane including me and my three other colleagues.
Ms Bamggadan said the plane burst into flames several minutes after she escaped.
"After I get out of the plane an explosion started," she said.
"I think it is from the right side of the plane because we get out from the left side and the left side there are no fire yet at the moment.
"Then some explosions come again and I didn't see the whole flames."
She said she later spoke to another survivor who told her he was disorientated by the crash.
"I think the people who sat in front were the ones who could get out of the plane because I think the emergency door was in the middle and we get out from that door," Ms Bamggadan said.
"I didn't see the other emergency door, maybe I missed it, I'm not really sure."
She said she felt a sense of panic when the plane came to rest.
"When we hit the ground for the last time things start to fall down from the cabin and also the fire outside and the smoke starts to get in the plane ... so people are really panicking.
"Some people were helping the older ladies but we were really close to the door so we had to get out first."
- AAP
