Rescuers have found a body from an Indonesian aircraft as they search for 11 individuals who were on board a plane that crashed on an island. Despite the grim discovery, there is still optimism that survivors may be found.
The recovered body, belonging to a man, was located approximately 656 feet below a ravine on the slope of Mount Bulusaraung on Sulawesi island on Sunday afternoon. It was near the scattered wreckage of the Indonesia Air ATR 42 plane.
The search and rescue operation was initiated following the plane crash on January 17, which occurred during a flight from Adisutjipto Airport to Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport. Muhammad Arif Anwar, the chief of the Makassar Search and Rescue Office, confirmed that efforts to evacuate the body are currently underway.
Although the identity of the recovered remains has not been established, it is believed to be from the aircraft. Rescuers also retrieved larger debris consistent with parts of the main fuselage and tail, scattered on a steep northern slope.
“The discovery of the aircraft’s main sections significantly reduces the search area and provides a vital clue for narrowing down the search zone,” Anwar remarked, expressing hope. “Our combined search and rescue teams are now concentrating on locating the victims, particularly those who may still be alive.”
Around 100 personnel, backed by the country’s armed forces, have been deployed across various sectors to aid in the operation. Adverse weather conditions, including heavy rain and thick fog with limited visibility of only five meters at the summit, have posed challenges for the teams.
Major General Bangun Nawoko, the military commander of South Sulawesi Hasanuddin, noted the impact of the inclement weather on operations, leading to the cancellation of certain planned activities for safety reasons. Images and videos released by the National Search and Rescue Agency depicted rescuers making their way along a narrow mountain ridge enveloped in fog to reach the scattered wreckage.
The plane’s last known location was at 1:17 pm local time, carrying eight crew members and three passengers from the Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry on an airborne maritime surveillance mission. In Indonesia, air transport and ferries play a crucial role in connecting its vast archipelago of approximately 17,000 islands.
The country has a history of transportation mishaps, including plane crashes, bus accidents, and ferry disasters.