A turboprop ATR 42-500 aircraft operated by Indonesia Air Transport went missing on Saturday with 11 people on board, three passengers and eight crew members, during a domestic flight between Yogyakarta and Makassar, Indonesian authorities reported. Contact with the aircraft was lost shortly after 1:00 p.m. local time, triggering an extensive search and rescue operation in the remote Maros region of southern Sulawesi.
Rescue teams, including helicopters, drones, and ground personnel, were deployed to the mountainous area near Mount Bulusaraung, where reports indicated possible debris and small fires. The rugged terrain, dense fog, and adverse weather conditions have complicated efforts to locate survivors.
The missing aircraft was conducting an aerial surveillance mission for the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, underscoring the importance of the flight before the loss of contact.
What is the main concern for rescue teams?
Primarily finding the occupants alive, although so far only aircraft debris has been located, and the search continues amid challenging conditions.
