Rescuers are currently in the midst of a search operation for seven individuals following a helicopter crash that occurred only six minutes after take-off.
A single body has been recovered at the crash site within Borneo’s lush forests after an intensive three-day search for the downed aircraft, which had a total of eight occupants. The recovered body was found approximately 100 meters away from the helicopter, with initial assessments by the rescue team indicating the potential presence of additional victims inside the aircraft.
Challenges such as deteriorating weather conditions and limited daylight have added complexity to the search efforts, necessitating a forthcoming salvage mission to access the victims within the charred helicopter.
Yudhi Bramantyo, the operational director of Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency, stated, “The wreckage has been located roughly 700 meters from the KNKT’s reference point, and the victim has been properly prepared for transport to the designated field post. Given the visibly burnt state of the helicopter, disassembly of the aircraft will be required to ascertain the exact number of individuals inside.”
The Airbus BK117 D-3, belonging to Eastindo Air, lost communication with air traffic control eight minutes after departure from Kotabaru district airport in Indonesia’s South Kalimantan province on Monday. The helicopter was en route to Palangkaraya City located on the southern region of the island.
Among the eight individuals on board the helicopter were three foreign nationals – Mark Werren from the United States, Santa Kumar from India, and Claudine Quito from Brazil – with the remainder believed to be Indonesian nationals.
A joint team comprising over 200 personnel, including police, military forces, local agencies, residents, and volunteers, was mobilized by both air and land to comb through a 10-square-mile expanse of forest in Mantewe, Tanahbumbu district.
The search operation was supported by five helicopters that took turns scouring the area, although progress was impeded by adverse weather conditions.
Following the discovery of the wreckage yesterday afternoon, ground search teams were redirected to the location to assist in recovery endeavors.
Indonesia has experienced a series of unfortunate incidents in recent times, encompassing plane crashes and ferry disasters.
In a separate incident last July, two Australian and three Indonesian nationals miraculously survived a tourist helicopter mishap in Bali after getting entangled in a kite string, as per officials’ statements. The Bell 505 Jet Ranger X helicopter, operated by PT Whitesky Aviation, crashed in Pecatu village along the coastal area in southern Bali, as detailed by Indonesia’s transportation ministry.
Visuals shared by Indonesia’s Search and Rescue Agency depicted the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X helicopter with its crew and passengers aboard crashing onto a limestone cliff.