Remains of MIAs returned

AMBON, Maluku: The Indonesian Armed Forces on Friday handed over to representatives of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) nine coffins containing the remains of Australian air force officers who died in action during World War II.

The nine were crew of the B-26 Catalina, whose wreckage was discovered near Buru island in December. The plane was believed to have been shot down by Japanese forces. Two brothers on the island discovered the wreckage when they were collecting wood on the hillside, according to Antara.

The coffins will be buried during a ceremony in October to which their surviving relatives have been invited.

Several rounds of ammunition were also found among the wreckage. (emb)