SAR Team Successfully Evacuated All Victims of ATR 42-500 Aircraft

The SAR team is looking for victims of an ATR 42-500 plane crash in the Bulusaraung Mountains area, Pangkep Regency, South Sulawesi. ANTARA/-

JAKARTA - The long and exhausting search by the joint SAR team finally yielded results with the discovery of the last victim of the ATR 42-500 plane crash in the Bulusaraung Mountains area, Pangkep Regency, South Sulawesi, on Friday (23/1) morning.

Quoted from the statement of the Presidential Media Team received in Jakarta, Saturday, with the discovery, all the victims, who numbered 10 people, were declared to have been found after seven days of challenging search operations.

The last victim was found at 09.16 Wita by the Elang 5 Team from Yonif 700 Raider Kodam XIV/Hasanuddin who worked with the joint SAR element.

The location of the discovery is in a steep cliff area that borders directly on the mountain stream, an extreme terrain that has been a scourge for the evacuation team since the beginning.

Since the first day, the Bulusaraung Mountain area is known to be difficult to reach. Steep slopes, deep ravines, and large rocks scattered along the cliffs make the search and evacuation process impossible to do normally.

The SAR team must rely on special techniques to reach the location of the plane crash and the point where the victim was found.

In a number of crucial moments, the joint SAR team seemed to have to hang on the helicopter to be able to get to the location. With the help of a rescue rope, one by one the personnel slowly descended the steep cliff.

Every step is taken with careful calculation, considering that a small mistake can be fatal, both for the victim and the officer.

The process of evacuating the victims and the aircraft debris was carried out by using a rope, then lifted gradually to the helicopter.

The narrow and slippery terrain conditions force the team to work extra carefully. Not infrequently they have to stop for a moment to ensure the stability of the foothold between the large rocks that are prone to landslides.

The challenge does not stop there. The rapidly changing mountain weather also tests the physical and mental endurance of the officers. Thick fog often falls and limits visibility, while rain showers the search area and makes the cliffs more slippery.

Despite facing various natural obstacles, the spirit and dedication of the Joint SAR Team did not waver. Until finally all the victims and important ATR 42-500 aircraft properties were found.

This operation is a real picture of humanitarian struggle, where courage and cooperation are the key in the harshness of the Bulusaraung Mountains.