Rescuers have found a body from an Indonesian aircraft as they search for 11 individuals aboard a crashed plane on an island, holding onto hope for potential survivors.
The team recovered the body of a man located 656 feet down a ravine on the slope of Mount Bulusaraung on Sulawesi island on Sunday afternoon. The body was discovered near the scattered debris of the Indonesia Air ATR 42 aircraft.
Following the January 17 crash during a flight from Adisutjipto Airport to Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport, a rescue operation was initiated. The Makassar Search and Rescue Office chief, Muhammad Arif Anwar, mentioned that the body evacuation process is ongoing.
Although the remains have not been identified yet, they are believed to be from the aircraft. Rescuers also retrieved larger debris consistent with the main fuselage and tail on a steep northern slope.
Anwar expressed optimism, stating that the discovery of the main aircraft sections has narrowed the search area, aiding in focusing the search efforts on potential survivors. Approximately 100 personnel, supported by the country’s armed forces, are involved in the search operation across various sectors.
Despite challenges posed by heavy rain and thick fog, the teams are persevering, with visibility reduced to five meters at the summit. Major General Bangun Nawoko, the military commander of South Sulawesi Hasanuddin, noted that adverse weather conditions have impacted the rescue efforts.
The ill-fated plane, carrying eight crew members and three passengers from the Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry on a maritime surveillance mission, was last tracked at 1:17 pm local time. Indonesia heavily relies on air transport and ferries for interconnecting its vast archipelago.
The nation has faced numerous transport accidents, encompassing plane crashes, bus incidents, and ferry disasters, highlighting ongoing safety challenges in the transportation sector.
