Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s Transport Ministry has pledged support for the evacuation of crew members following an Army helicopter crash during a forest-fire water-bombing mission in Central Kalimantan that left three people dead.
“The ministry is ready to provide the necessary support, particularly by preparing airport facilities and coordinating flight services, to ensure the response proceeds smoothly,” said Civil Aviation Director General Lukman F. Laisa.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation expressed its condolences following the crash of the Indonesian Army Aviation-operated Mi-17V5 helicopter, registration number HA-5235, at Tanjung Puting National Park on Wednesday, November 4.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. We also hope those receiving medical treatment recover quickly and that the evacuation proceeds smoothly,” Lukman said.
According to an initial report from AirNav Indonesia, the helicopter departed Kuala Pembuang Airport in Seruyan District at 10:20 a.m. on Wednesday, heading for a firefighting site in Telaga Pulang.
During the flight, the crew reported changing the target area to Pematang Limau due to weather conditions.
At 11:17 a.m., air traffic controllers received information that the helicopter had crashed while collecting water in coastal waters.
The helicopter was carrying eight crew members, Lukman said.
A subsequent update confirmed that five crew members were receiving medical treatment, while three had died.
The Transport Ministry later reported that two bodies had been flown from Kuala Pembuang to Semarang aboard an Indonesian Army CASA 212 aircraft.
Kuala Pembuang Airport prepared the necessary facilities and personnel to support the emergency response and coordinated with relevant agencies at the scene.
The ministry’s Regional Airport Authority Office VII is coordinating with the Indonesian Army, the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), AirNav Indonesia, airport operators, and other relevant agencies to support the evacuation.
As the helicopter was a state aircraft operated by the Army, the relevant authorities are responsible for providing further updates on the crew’s condition, the evacuation process, and the cause of the crash.
The ministry urged the public not to circulate unverified information and to follow official sources for updates.
Lukman said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation would continue monitoring the situation and coordinating with relevant agencies within its authority.
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Translator: M.Harianto, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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