Lion Air plane that crashed into sea must be cut up and moved to avoid damaging Bali's reefs

BALI, Indonesia – Aviation authorities are struggling to remove a Lion Air passenger jet that crashed into the sea on Indonesia's resort island of Bali because it is too heavy to tow in the shallow water.

Transportation Ministry spokesman Bambang Ervan said Monday divers are also facing difficulties removing the cockpit voice recorder located in the plane's tail, which is submerged.

All 108 people on board survived Saturday's crash when the plane slammed into the water near Bali's Ngurah Rai airport and snapped in two.

Ervan said authorities have decided to cut the wreckage into several parts instead of towing because it weighs too much and could damage the area's coral reefs.

Bali is one of Asia's most popular destinations, drawing millions of vacationers with its world-class surf and beautiful beaches.