Six ambulances transported the victims from the crash site, located in a remote, forested mountain area in Mentewe Subdistrict, Tanah Bumbu District. Five vehicles carried the bodies, while one escorted the convoy.
One ambulance transported two victims. To expedite the transfer, each ambulance reversed so its rear doors faced the DVI building.
Police and members of the South Kalimantan Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) helped move the bodies into the facility.
Police and members of the South Kalimantan Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) assisted in moving the bodies into the facility. Local and national journalists were present to cover the arrival, which followed a challenging recovery mission in steep, heavily forested terrain.
The helicopter wreckage was discovered Wednesday near Mandin Damar Waterfall, at coordinates 03°05’6” S – 115°37’39.07” E, approximately 700 meters from the location previously reported by the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT).
“One body was found about 100 meters from the wreckage. The other seven were discovered inside or close to the helicopter,” said Basarnas Operations Director First Admiral Yudhi Bramantyo.
Ground rescue teams were deployed to aid evacuation. Yudhi noted that the joint search operation involved Basarnas, the military, police, disaster response units, and community volunteers, with strong local support.
He emphasized that the operation would continue with safety as a priority. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
The BK117 D3 helicopter, operated by Eastindo Air, went missing on Monday, September 1, shortly after taking off from Kotabaru at 8:46 a.m. local time.
The flight was bound for Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan. The aircraft lost contact eight minutes after takeoff, carrying eight people: pilot Capt. Haryanto, engineer Hendra, and passengers Mark Werren, Yudi Febrian, Andys Rissa Pasulu, Santha Kumar, Claudine Quito, and Iboy Irfan Rosa.
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Translator: Gunawan W, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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