Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), Lieutenant General Kristomei Sianturi, expressed his condolences for the deaths of three Indonesian Army soldiers during forest and land fire operations in Central Kalimantan.
“We express our deepest condolences for the deaths of three soldiers during forest and land fire operations in Central Kalimantan yesterday,” he said on Thursday.
He extended his condolences and called on the public to show solidarity with personnel working to contain forest and land fires across the country.
“I also urge all Indonesians to support our personnel who are working on the ground to tackle forest and land fires,” Sianturi stated.
He then emphasized the importance of public cooperation, particularly by avoiding open burning of forests and land, which could hamper firefighting operations.
Previously, the Indonesian Army deployed personnel to evacuate eight helicopter crew members who crashed during forest and land fire extinguishing operations in the waters off Sungai Perlu Village, Danau Sembuluh Sub-district, Seruyan District, Central Kalimantan, on Wednesday (November 4).
An official press release from the Army explained that the crash of the Mi 17V5 helicopter from the Army Aviation Center occurred at approximately 11:18 a.m. local time.
The accident began when the helicopter took off from Kuala Pembuang at 9:55 a.m., en route to handle forest and land fires in the Tanjung Puting National Park (TNTP) area.
While collecting water from the waters off Sungai Perlu Village for a water-bombing operation, the helicopter encountered difficulties before crashing into the river.
Shortly after the incident, the Indonesian Army immediately dispatched personnel to evacuate the crew by air.
“Rescue efforts were being prioritized to ensure all personnel receive assistance as quickly as possible,” the press release stated.
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Translator: Tri Meilani A, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Primayanti
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