Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) Operations Deputy Edy Prakoso said on Tuesday the search focused on mapped sectors based on earlier findings, including victim locations, personal belongings, aircraft debris, and sections of the fuselage.
“The search is being conducted in stages and in a measured manner, in line with the operational plan,” he said.
Under the coordination of the Makassar SAR office chief as mission coordinator, each unit was assigned a separate sector to ensure broader coverage across the extreme terrain, Prakoso said.
The search area consists of steep cliffs with depths estimated at hundreds of meters from the summit, requiring specialized movement techniques and strict safety measures for all personnel.
Units one through five searched initial discovery points, including the first victim site, aircraft windows and debris, the first engine and seat ladder, the second victim’s location, and wing and engine parts near a waterfall.
Unit six carried out follow-up checks at the aircraft’s tail section, located about 200 meters below the surface. Unit seven handled evacuations to rice fields at Kampung Baru, with unit eight securing routes.
From the air, unit nine conducted aerial sweeps using a helicopter from Hasanuddin Air Base to cover all sectors and improve mapping support for ground teams.
“The steep terrain and extreme weather remain major challenges, but personnel are prioritizing safety,” Prakoso said.
The operation involves about 376 personnel from Basarnas, the military, police, and other rescue groups, including university outdoor clubs and staff from national philanthropic organizations.
The ATR 42-500, registered PK-THT, lost contact while flying from Yogyakarta to Makassar and was located less than 24 hours after the report was received on Sunday morning.
Updated flight manifests showed the aircraft was carrying 10 people, including crew members.
Three passengers were employees of the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry: Ferry Irawan, a fisheries surveillance analyst; Deden Mulyana, a state asset manager; and Yoga Naufal, an aerial photography operator.
Basarnas and joint teams have evacuated two victims so far, including a man found in a ravine about 200 meters deep near the summit of Mount Bulusaraung.
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Translator: M.Riezko BEP, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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