Search and Rescue Operation Underway for Missing Helicopter in South Kalimantan
banjarmasin, Indonesia – A large-scale search and rescue (SAR) operation is currently underway in Tanah Bumbu Regency, South Kalimantan, following the reported loss of contact with an Eastindo-operated BK117-D3 helicopter. Initial reports from Airnav Banjarmasin indicate the helicopter went missing near Mandin Damar Waterfall in the Mantewe District, at coordinates 3°06’54.58″S – 115°41’21.62″E.
The helicopter was carrying eight individuals, including pilots and technicians, whose identities have been confirmed as: Captain haryanto, engineer Hendra, mark Werren, yudi Febrian, Andys Rissa Pasulu, Santha Kumar, Claudine Quito, and Iboy Irfan Rosa. As of this reporting, the location of the passengers and crew remains unknown.
A combined SAR team, comprised of 40 personnel from Basarnas (Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency), the Kotabaru SAR Post, Tanah Bumbu Brimob (Mobile Brigade), and other relevant agencies, has been dispatched to the area. The team is covering a distance of approximately 71.5 km from the Batulicin SAR Alert Unit to reach the last known coordinates.
“Arduous terrain, dense vegetation, and limited communication are presenting notable challenges to the search efforts,” stated Head of basarnas Banjarmasin, I Putu Sudayana, on Monday. “However, the entire team has been on the ground since 12:20 pm local time.”
Basarnas is coordinating with Airnav Syamsudin Noor Banjarmasin, the South Kalimantan BPBD (Regional Disaster Management Agency), Korem 101/antasari (Military Resort Command), and Lanud Syamsudin Noor (Air Force Base) to expedite the search