Search teams locate debris believed to be from a missing ATR 42-500 patrol aircraft on Bulusaraung Hill in South Sulawesi, with 10 people on board
JAKARTA: Large debris believed to be from a missing ATR 42-500 aircraft has been discovered on Bulusaraung Hill in Maros Regency, South Sulawesi.
The Makassar search and rescue (SAR) operations chief, Andi Sultan, said the ground team located the debris suspected to be the fuselage and tail sections at 7.49 am local time on Sunday.
“The debris were found on a slope, on the southern side, in the lower section of the hillside,” he said in a video shared with media.
The Indonesian Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry confirmed the missing aircraft is its patrol plane, operated by Indonesia Air Transport and registered as PK-THT.
The aircraft, carrying seven crew and three passengers, lost contact with air traffic control around noon on Saturday over Maros District.
It was en route from Yogyakarta to Makassar when it disappeared.
Andi said a team was dispatched to the site following the discovery.
He added that descending to the fuselage location has been difficult due to the steep terrain.
Approximately 500 personnel are currently on standby to assist in the ongoing SAR operation.
As of the latest update, the fate of the 10 persons on board remains unclear.
