Indonesia’s search for the lost ATR 42-500 took a hopeful turn Sunday as rescue squads in Pangkep Regency, South Sulawesi, unearthed debris from Mount Bulusarung and found one victim alive amid the wreckage. The painstaking operation highlights human resilience in the face of nature’s wrath.
Positioned on a precarious slope, the victim is being ferried to the SAR outpost in Tonpobulu village. Major General Bangun Nawoko, heading the Hasanuddin Military Regional Command, briefed the press: ‘Great news today – we’ve pulled debris sections and one victim. Evacuation to Tompobulu’s Aju command post is in progress.’
Victim details, including name and medical state, are withheld pending safe extraction from the unforgiving area. ‘We lack full confirmation due to the harsh conditions,’ Nawoko said. ‘Hard work got us this far; the victim wasn’t far from the crash core.’ Dense mist crowns the mountain, while vertical terrain tests every step.
The aircraft, bound for Makassar from Yogyakarta with 10 onboard (seven crew, three passengers), dropped off air traffic control Saturday over Maros. Such events in Indonesia’s island chains often stem from rugged topography and sudden weather shifts. Rescuers remain steadfast, this discovery spurring their resolve to probe deeper into the mystery.