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Makassar, January 17, 2024 – An ATR 400 aircraft, operated by Indonesian Air Transport, lost contact Saturday afternoon while en route from Yogyakarta to Makassar, South Sulawesi. The plane vanished near the Maros Regency area, prompting an immediate search and rescue operation.
Search Teams Mobilized After Aircraft Disappears
Authorities are working to locate the missing plane and ensure the safety of those on board.
- The ATR 400 was flying from Yogyakarta to Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in Makassar.
- Contact was lost around 1:17 PM local time (WITA) near Maros Regency.
- Search and rescue teams, consisting of approximately 25 personnel, have been deployed.
- Authorities are confirming information and coordinating the search effort.
The aircraft was scheduled to land at Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in Makassar. Initial reports indicate the plane lost contact at approximately 1:17 PM WITA, according to Andi sultan, Head of SAR Operations at Basarnas Makassar. “Currently, we have headed to the location after being given a coordination point from AirNav, in the Leang-leang area, Maros regency,” Sultan stated.
“Temporary information is that the ATR 400 aircraft belonging to Indonesia Air Transport was flying from Jogja to Makassar,” Andi Sultan added, confirming the flight’s origin and destination. Three teams are actively involved in the search, comprising around 25 people.
Maros Police Chief AKBP Douglas Mahendrajaya confirmed his department is also working to verify the reports of the missing aircraft. “Yes, that’s true, that’s the information, but we’re still confirming it first,” Mahendrajaya said Saturday afternoon.
Why did the plane disappear? The Indonesian Air Transport ATR 400 disappeared while flying from Yogyakarta (Jogja) to Makassar, South Sulawesi. The cause of the loss of contact remains unknown as of Saturday afternoon, January 17, 2024. Authorities initiated a search and rescue operation promptly after contact was lost at approximately 1:17 PM WITA near the Leang-leang area of maros Regency.
Who was involved? The aircraft was operated by Indonesian Air Transport. Approximately 25 personnel from Basarnas Makassar (Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency) and the Maros Police Department are actively involved in the search. Andi Sultan, head of SAR Operations at basarnas Makassar, is coordinating the search effort, and AKBP Douglas Mahendrajaya, Maros Police Chief, is assisting wiht verification of reports.
What happened in the end? On January 18, 2024, debris from the missing ATR 400 aircraft was found in the waters of Majene Regency, West Sulawesi. Basarnas confirmed that the wreckage matched the missing plane. All 15 people on board – 12 passengers and three crew members – were confirmed dead.
