Lion Air crash: Images of the unfolding tragedy

Search and rescue officials in the sea off Jakarta

A search and rescue operation has begun after Lion Air flight JT 610 crashed into the Java Sea.

The plane went down with 189 passengers and crew on board.

Dozens of ships and hundreds of search officers are now on location in Karawang Bay off the coast of Jakarta - the last known point of contact of the plane.

They are trying to locate the main wreckage and the crucial flight data recorder that may provide answers as to why the plane crashed.

Search and rescue officials wave from a boatAFP

Lots of debris and personal belongings of passengers on the plane have already been recovered.

Search and rescue officials stand next to belongings salvaged from the sea
An official examines a piece of suspected plane debrisReuters

This image of an iPhone cover has captured the attention of many online.

This handout photo taken and released on October 29, 2018 via the Twitter account of Sutopo Purwo Nugroho from Indonesia"s National Disaster Mitigation Agency shows personnel looking at items believed to be from the wreckage of the Lion Air flight JT 610, recovered off the coast of Indonesia's Java island after the Boeing crashed into the seaAFP PHOTO / National Disaster Mitigation Agency

Meanwhile relatives of those on board have gathered at Jakarta airport and at Depati Amir airport in Pangkal Pinang where the plane was headed, as they wait for news of their loved ones.

Two emotional women arrive at Soekarno Hatta International airport near JakartaReuters
Relatives of passengers of the Lion Air plane that crashed into the sea are seen at Depati Amir airport in Pangkal Pinang, Belitung island, Indonesia, October 29, 2018.Reuters