8 Feared Dead After Helicopter Carrying Passengers and Pilot Goes Missing
- A helicopter carrying eight people went missing in Indonesia’s South Borneo province, sparking a large-scale search effort
- Authorities confirmed the aircraft disappeared over the remote Mantewe region, with rescue teams now racing against time
- The disaster mitigation agency and police joined forces to locate the missing helicopter and its occupants
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A helicopter carrying two crew members and six passengers has gone missing in Indonesia’s South Borneo province, prompting an urgent search operation, the local rescue agency confirmed on Monday.
The aircraft was reported missing in the Mantewe area of South Borneo, according to I Putu Sudayana, head of the provincial rescue agency.
Source: Getty Images
Speaking to Reuters, Sudayana stated that the helicopter’s last known location was within the rugged terrain surrounding Mantewe, a region known for its dense forest cover and limited accessibility.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the purpose of the flight or the identities of those on board.
Disaster mitigation agency, police join search efforts
Sudayana confirmed that the National Disaster Mitigation Agency and local police forces have mobilised to assist in the search. Rescue teams are currently scouring the area, although challenging weather conditions and difficult topography have reportedly hampered progress.
Efforts are ongoing, with officials working against the clock to locate the missing helicopter and ensure the safety of its occupants.
Search intensifies as concerns mount
As of Monday afternoon, there has been no official update on the whereabouts of the helicopter or any signs of wreckage. The incident has raised concerns among aviation authorities and local communities, with many hoping for a swift resolution.
The rescue agency has urged the public to remain patient as teams continue their search in coordination with national and regional emergency services.
Indonesia plane crash
Indonesia has experienced a troubling history of aviation accidents, with several high-profile crashes over the past few decades.
Among the deadliest was the 1997 Garuda Indonesia Flight 152 disaster, which claimed 234 lives near Medan. More recently, Lion Air Flight 610 crashed into the Java Sea in 2018, killing all 189 people on board. In 2014, Indonesia AirAsia Flight 8501 also went down in the Java Sea, resulting in 162 fatalities.
Military aircraft have not been spared either, with a 2015 Indonesian Air Force Hercules crash in Medan causing over 130 deaths.
These incidents have raised concerns about safety standards, pilot training, and aircraft maintenance across both commercial and military aviation sectors. Despite improvements in oversight and infrastructure, Indonesia’s challenging geography and unpredictable weather continue to pose risks to air travel.
Source: Getty Images
Small aircraft crashes in southern California
Legit.ng earlier reported that a small plane crashed into a commercial building in southern California on Thursday, killing at least two people and injuring several others, according to local authorities.
The crash occurred around 2:30 p.m. local time at Fullerton Municipal Airport, about 26 miles southeast of Los Angeles. According to Forbes, the pilot had requested an emergency landing shortly after takeoff, and clearance was given to use either side of the runway.
More than 100 people were evacuated from the building, which was occupied by Michael Nicholas Designs, a furniture upholstery manufacturer.
Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
