Bodies of 10 passengers recovered from crashed plane in Indonesia

All ten victims of a plane crash in Indonesia’s South Sulawesi province have been recovered, authorities confirmed on Friday, following a painstaking seven-day search and rescue operation in the region’s remote mountainous terrain.

The aircraft, operated by Indonesia Air Transport, went missing on 17 January while en route to Makassar. Its wreckage was subsequently located near Mount Bulusaraung, a rugged peak in South Sulawesi.

According to official reports, the plane was carrying a total of ten people: seven crew members and three passengers engaged in a fisheries monitoring mission.

Colonel Dodi Triyo Hadi, an officer participating in the joint search and rescue efforts, stated that the final, tenth body was recovered at 08:59 local time on Friday morning. “With the assistance of the Eagle Team and the joint Search and Rescue (SAR) units, we have successfully recovered all victims and secured crucial evidence from the wreckage,” he said.

The recovered bodies have been sent for forensic identification. To date, two identities have been confirmed, while the remaining victims are undergoing formal identification procedures.

Indonesian authorities have expressed their deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. They have also pledged a full investigation into the cause of the crash and assured that comprehensive support will be provided to the bereaved families throughout the process.

Summary of the Incident

The seven-day operation faced significant challenges due to the steep and inaccessible terrain, yet the coordinated efforts of military personnel and SAR teams ensured that all victims and essential wreckage were recovered. Officials have stressed that a detailed investigation will continue to determine the precise cause of the crash, emphasising transparency and the provision of full assistance to the families affected by this tragic incident.