JAKARTA – In a glimmer of hope amid tragedy, Indonesian rescue teams announced a breakthrough on Sunday in the search for a missing ATR 42-500 aircraft. Operating in the rugged terrain of Mount Bulusarung in South Sulawesi’s Pangkep Regency, rescuers recovered wreckage pieces and, crucially, located one victim.
The victim was discovered on a steep mountainside slope, with teams now transporting the individual to the Search and Rescue (SAR) command post in Tonpobulu village. Major General Bangun Nawoko, commander of the Hasanuddin Military Regional Command, shared the update with journalists at the post. ‘Today brings good news,’ he stated. ‘Our team has retrieved several pieces of the aircraft debris and found one victim.’
Efforts continue to evacuate the victim to the Aju command post in Tompobulu, though details on the person’s condition and identity remain unconfirmed due to the challenging environment. ‘We can’t yet provide specifics on the victim’s status,’ Nawoko explained. ‘The terrain demands immense effort, but the victim was found not far from the main wreckage site.’
Rescue operations face formidable obstacles: thick fog blankets the peak of Mount Bulusarung, and near-vertical climbs add to the peril. The ATR 42-500 had lost contact while flying from Yogyakarta to Makassar on Saturday, vanishing over Maros Regency in South Sulawesi. Official records indicate 10 people were aboard – three passengers and seven crew members.
This incident underscores the dangers of flying in Indonesia’s archipelago, where mountainous regions and unpredictable weather have claimed numerous aircraft in the past. As recovery efforts intensify, authorities urge patience while teams navigate these harsh conditions. The nation watches closely, hoping for more survivors amid the debris.