Rescuers prepare for a ground search operation for a helicopter carrying a number of people that has lost contact in a forest in Indonesia’s tropical island (AP photo)
A helicopter in Indonesia, carrying eight passengers including an Indian national, was observed emitting white smoke and flying low before it crashed in a mountainous region, reported PTI, quoting local media on Wednesday.According to Antara, the Indonesian news agency, the SAR team confirmed that the Estindo Air BK 117 D3 helicopter was spotted emitting white smoke at a low altitude before the crash occurred.Contact with the eight-passenger aircraft, including its pilot, was lost on Monday at 8.54 am local time while flying near Mandin Damar Waterfall in Mentewe, Tanah Bumbu district, South Kalimantan.The passengers included Indian national Santha Kumar, along with Captain Haryanto (pilot), technician Eng Hendra, Mark Werren, Yudi Febrian, Andys Rissa Pasulu, Claudine Quito, and Iboy Irfan Rosa.“A teacher and several students witnessed the helicopter flying low while releasing smoke. This was beyond the initial point of last contact according to flight radar data,” I Putu Sudayana, head of the Banjarmasin Search and Rescue Agency, said on Tuesday.He indicated that the joint SAR team would investigate the new location through combined aerial and ground operations.Sudayana explained that the team would attempt to access the area through the forest to reach the mountain’s opposite side. He expressed hope for a swift route discovery and requested prayers for locating the helicopter quickly.South Kalimantan Governor Muhidin reported that heavy rainfall prevented the planned aerial survey of the suspected crash site.Muhidin explained that dense cloud cover hindered helicopter descent, whilst the vast, unexplored forest presented significant access challenges. The helicopter departed Syamsir Alam Airport in Kotabaru district at 8.46 am local time Monday, with a scheduled arrival at Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, at 10.15 am.The last communication occurred at 8.54 am before contact was lost. The aircraft was declared missing at 12.02 pm.Previously, Sudayana mentioned that two helicopters were conducting alternating aerial searches for the missing aircraft. Additionally, a ground search team comprising 140 personnel from various organisations and local volunteers was mobilised.
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