A Merpati Airlines passenger plane carrying at least 27 people crashed off Indonesia's West Papua province on Saturday, officials said, adding that a number of bodies have been recovered.

The China-made MA60 aircraft belonging to Merpati Airlines was on a domestic flight from Sorong Airport in West Papua to Kaimana Airport, also in West Papua province, when it crashed in the sea about 500 meters (0.3 mile) from its destination.

Indonesian officials said the aircraft was carrying 18 adults, one child, two babies, and six crew members. At least 15 bodies have been recovered, and fears are that the others on board were also killed.

File Photo: A China-made MA60 aircraft in Merpati Airlines livery. Photo by CARNOC.com message board member - chenchangCC.