Indonesia Plane Disappears with 11 Onboard; Search Underway
A regional passenger aircraft carrying 11 people lost contact with air traffic control on Saturday while approaching a mountainous region between the Indonesian islands of Java and Sulawesi. The ATR 42-500 turboprop, operated by Indonesia Air Transport, was en route from Yogyakarta to the capital city of South Sulawesi when it vanished from radar.
A spokesperson for the Transportation Ministry confirmed the aircraft’s disappearance and stated that a comprehensive search and rescue operation is currently underway. The plane was last tracked at 1:17 pm local time (5:17 GMT) in the Leang-Leang area of Maros, a mountainous district within South Sulawesi province.
Hopes for locating the wreckage increased after hikers on Mount Bulusaraung reported discovering scattered debris, along with markings consistent with Indonesia Air Transport and evidence of small fires still burning at the scene. “The sightings were reported to authorities and are being verified by rescue teams attempting to reach the area,” said Major General Bangun Nawoko, the South Sulawesi’s Hasanuddin military commander.
Rescue teams are concentrating their efforts around the mountainous terrain, facing challenging conditions as they attempt to reach the reported location of the debris. The rugged landscape is significantly hindering access and complicating the search process.
The incident raises concerns about aviation safety in the region, and authorities are committed to a thorough investigation once the aircraft is located. Further updates will be provided as the search progresses and more information becomes available.
