Amid mounting tension, Indonesian authorities reported progress in the hunt for the missing ATR 42-500 aircraft that plummeted near Mount Bulusarung. Sunday’s developments in South Sulawesi’s Pangkep Regency included the recovery of aircraft debris and the discovery of a single victim, offering a faint ray of optimism.
Found on the mountain’s incline, the victim is en route to the Tonpobulu SAR command post. Speaking to reporters, Hasanuddin Military Regional Command’s Major General Bangun Nawoko confirmed: ‘Our teams secured wreckage parts today and located one victim. We’re now extracting them to the Tompobulu Aju post.’
No verified information on the victim’s identity or injuries has been released, as operations persist in hostile terrain. ‘Comprehensive updates on condition aren’t possible yet – the site’s demands are extreme,’ he added, noting the victim’s close proximity to the debris field. Persistent fog at the peak and steep ascents pose ongoing threats to the rescuers.
Saturday’s flight from Yogyakarta to Makassar carried 10 people, including three passengers and seven crew, before communications severed over Maros Regency. This crash revives concerns over regional air travel safety in Indonesia’s volatile landscapes. As teams push forward, the focus sharpens on accounting for all aboard, with this lone recovery fueling determination against the odds.