Jakarta: Eight people were killed after a helicopter crashed in Indonesia’s West Kalimantan, with the wreckage located in a remote forested area, authorities said Thursday.
According to reports by Xinhua News Agency and the Indonesian National Police, the aircraft had gone missing before debris was spotted earlier in the day.
Rescue official Lt. Col. Nurrachman Gindha Dradhizya said four bodies had been recovered, while three remained trapped inside the wreckage. Efforts were underway to locate and retrieve the final victim.
The helicopter, identified as an Airbus H-130 operated by PT Matthew Air, was carrying eight people, according to the flight manifest.
Authorities said recovery operations were suspended due to darkness and difficult terrain, with teams set to resume work Friday morning.
“We will continue tomorrow morning, including efforts to cut through the helicopter wreckage to retrieve the bodies still inside,” Dradhizya said.
The crash site, near Sekadau in a densely forested area, was first identified by an Indonesian Air Force Super Puma helicopter, which spotted debris believed to be part of the aircraft’s tail about 3 km from the last known contact point.
Officials from the National Search and Rescue Agency said aerial surveillance helped pinpoint the location, allowing ground teams to begin recovery efforts despite challenging terrain and weather.
Local residents had earlier reported hearing an explosion in the Bukit Puntak area. Ambulances have been stationed in nearby villages as the operation continues.
