Decomposition Of Body Of Victim Of Heli Falls In South Kalimantan, DVI Team: Can't Rush To Identify

The Disaster Victim Identification Team (DVI) stated that thoroughness was very much needed in identifying the bodies of victims of the BK117 D3 helicopter crash that crashed in the forest area of Emil Baru Village, Mentewe, Tanah Bumbu, South Kalimantan (Kalsel).

"We prioritize accuracy and accuracy in identifying. We cannot rush in determining the identity of the victim," said Head of the South Kalimantan Police Dokkes Kombes Pol Dr Muhammad El Yandiko at a press conference for Operation DVI Polri BK117 D3 Helicopter Accident at Bhayangkara Hospital Banjarmasin, Saturday night.

He revealed that this was related to the three bodies of Indonesian citizens who were difficult to identify because the condition of the bodies was severe due to being burned and had undergone further decay.

"If you are not sure for sure, the team will look for additional data to really believe in the identity of the victim. Because this data must be accounted for," said Yandiko.

Therefore, he asked the public, especially the families of the victims, to be patient with the identification process of the three Indonesian citizens, which are still difficult to identify.

Yandiko ensured that all identification stages were carried out with full caution by implementing three standards, namely fingerprints, dental formulas, and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) tests.

Finger studies are difficult because of the condition of advanced decay and severe burns. The formula on the body is also incomplete and some do not have it. Because it is already in severe condition, the last alternative is DNA testing so it takes time," he said.

As of Saturday 6 September, the DVI Team has succeeded in identifying three foreigners among eight victims. Among the five bodies of Indonesian citizens who have not been identified, there are two bodies that have started to lead to true identities without having to go through DNA tests, but the DVI Team is still investigating.

The victims of the helicopter crash consisted of a pilot named Captain Haryanto from Batam City, Riau Islands, a technician named Hendra Darmawan (Luwu Regency, South Sulawesi).

Then six passengers, namely Mark Werren (Australia), Santha Kumar Prabhakaran (India), Claudine Pereira Quito (Brazil), Iboy Irfan Rosa (Kuantan Singingi Regency, Riau), Yudi Febrian Rahman (Pekan Baru, Riau), Andys Rissa Pasulu (Kota Balikpapan, East Kalimantan).

The SAR team found a helicopter carcass at point 03 deg 5 6 S 115 deg 37 39.07 E, a forest area around Emil Baru Village, Mentewe District, Tanah Bumbu, South Kalimantan, on Wednesday 3 September at around 14:45 WITA, since losing contact on Monday, September 1 at around 08.54 WITA.

The helicopter was found at a distance of about 700 meters from the coordinates previously given by the National Transportation Safety Committee (NTSC). The SAR team managed to evacuate the entire body on Thursday 4 September at around 21.50 WITA.