Update Search for ATR 42-500 Aircraft: Extreme Weather Hinders Evacuation on Mount Bulusaraung
JAKARTA - Entering the fourth day of the search, Thursday (22/1/2026), the Joint SAR Team together with the Disaster Management Center (DMC) of Dompet Dhuafa South Sulawesi continues to struggle to penetrate the steep terrain of Mount Bulusaraung. The operation is focused on evacuating victims of the ATR 42-500 plane crash that fell in the area.
The latest report from the location shows that the weather conditions at the peak of Mount Bulusaraung are very unfriendly. The Search and Rescue Unit (SRU) 1 team reported that they had to operate on slopes with extreme steepness and the depth of the search area reached 350 meters.
"The team carried out the search with a visibility of only 5-10 meters due to thick fog, strong winds, and heavy rain. This condition is very risky for the safety of personnel," wrote the official report of DMC Dompet Dhuafa Sulsel which was received by VOI.
Discovery of Victims and Evacuation Obstacles
Until now, the Joint SAR Team has managed to find one female victim in a dead condition. The victim was found at the coordinates $04^{\circ}55'50.69'' S$ and $119^{\circ}44'48.29'' E$ using the rappelling method.
However, due to the weather which continues to change, the process of evacuating the bodies has not been fully carried out. The team plans to carry out a follow-up evacuation tomorrow morning while monitoring weather developments in the field.
Medis and Logistics Support of the Dhuafa Wallet
Apart from being involved in the rescue team, Sulsel Dhuafa Wallet also took a crucial role in maintaining the volunteers' stamina:
Health Services: Provide treatment of minor wounds and vitamin supplementation for SAR personnel who are exhausted. Armada & Logistics: Deploy ambulance units, evacuation tents, and motorcycles for rapid mobilization in mountainous areas.Brief Chronology of the ATR 42-500 Aircraft Crash
The ATR 42-500 aircraft was previously reported missing on Saturday (17/1/2026) afternoon while heading to Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport. The crash site was then identified in the Bulusaraung Mountains area, Pangkep Regency.
Until this news was released, Dompet Dhuafa together with the Joint SAR Team is committed to staying at the location until all the processes of searching and evacuating the victims are completed.