Rescue teams in Indonesia discovered wreckage from a turboprop aircraft that went missing on Saturday while flying from Yogyakarta to Makassar.
The debris was located inside Bantimurung-Bulusaraung National Park, but the 10 people onboard remain unaccounted for.
The Indonesian Air Transport plane lost contact with air traffic control shortly after 1 pm local time. Authorities immediately launched a large-scale search operation across Maros Regency, deploying helicopters, drones, and ground teams.
Muhammad Arif Anwar, head of the Makassar search and rescue agency, confirmed that recovered debris included the fuselage, tail section, and windows. He emphasised that locating the passengers and crew remains the top priority. “We hope there are still some we can evacuate in a safe condition,” he said.
Officials stated that the aircraft crashed into Mount Bulusaraung, a mountainous area bordering Makassar. Dense fog and rugged terrain have slowed rescue efforts. Local military chief Bangun Nawoko noted that poor visibility continues to hinder aerial searches.
More than 1,000 personnel from the air force, police, and local agencies are coordinating the mission. Authorities confirmed that the 10 on board included seven crew members and three officials from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono said the officials were on duty, conducting aerial monitoring of resources.
Aircraft manufacturer ATR acknowledged the accident and pledged full support to Indonesian authorities during the investigation.
Indonesia, an archipelago of over 17,000 islands, relies heavily on air transport. However, repeated aviation safety challenges have raised concerns. Last year, two helicopter crashes in South Kalimantan and Papua claimed multiple lives, underscoring ongoing risks in the country’s aviation sector.
