Today Basarnas Continues to Evacuate ATR 42-500 Aircraft in Mount Bulusaraung Makassar

MAKASSAR - Head of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) Mohammad Syafii said the evacuation process of the ATR 42-500 aircraft accident will continue tomorrow, Monday, January 19, 2026 through air and land routes by looking at the development of weather conditions on Mount Bulusaraung, Pangkep Regency.

"The evacuation option tomorrow is evacuation by air with the Caracal helicopter trying to land on the peak to carry out evacuation using the hoist method (pulled from the helicopter). If the air route is not possible, the evacuation is carried out by land by a joint SAR team," said Syafii, quoted by Antara, Monday, January 19.

The plan is that in addition to evacuating the bodies of the victims who have been found, Basarnas will also remove parts of the plane to support the investigation process.

"The evacuation was carried out not only for passengers, but also for the 'body part' of the aircraft which is necessary for the interests of the National Transportation Safety Committee or KNKT's investigation," he added.

Head of the Makassar Class A Basarnas Office, Muhammad Arif Anwar, as SAR Mission Coordinator (SMC), explained that the evacuation process could not be fully carried out due to bad weather and very extreme terrain.

"Currently, the SAR team is staying at the peak of Mount Bulusaraung by setting up tents around the location where the victim was found. The evacuation cannot be carried out because of rain, strong winds, and thick fog that limits visibility and the safety of personnel," he explained.

So far, it is reported that the team is still securing the location of the discovery and initial identification while waiting for the weather to improve. The evacuation plan will be implemented tomorrow with two main options by air or land.

The SAR operation involved thousands of joint personnel from Basarnas, TNI, Polri, local governments, as well as potential SAR and volunteer elements, with the support of ground, air, and field communication technology equipment.

Operations will continue with strict weather monitoring to ensure the safety of all personnel in the field. A number of aircraft debris and the bodies of unidentified victims are still in the local mountain area.

Previously, the ATR 42-500 aircraft belonging to Indonesia Air Transport (IAT) was reported missing in the Bulusaraung mountain area of the border area of Maros-Pangkep Regency, South Sulawesi while preparing to land at Hasanuddin Airport on Saturday (17/1/2026) afternoon.

The plane was carrying 10 people, seven crew members and three passengers. The three passengers are known to be employees of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP). Each of Ferry Irawan with the rank of young arranger level I and the position of ship analyst supervisor.

Furthermore, Deden Mulyana with the rank of I-level young arranger with the position of state property manager and Yoga Naufal with the position of aerial photo operator. Meanwhile, the aircraft crew has seven persons on board (POB) with pilot Captain Andi Dahananto.