11 Dead or Missing After ATR 42-500 Plane Crashes in Sulawesi, Indonesia

Eleven people, including eight crew and three passengers, are unaccounted for after an ATR 42-500 plane crashed in Sulawesi, Indonesia, authorities said.

A surveillance aircraft crashed in Indonesia’s Sulawesi region on Saturday, leaving 11 people onboard unaccounted for, authorities stated on Sunday, January 18.

The ATR 42-500, operated by Indonesia Air Transport, lost contact with air traffic control around 13:30 local time near Maros in South Sulawesi, carrying eight crew members and three passengers.

The passengers included officials from Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, who were reportedly on an official inspection mission over the region’s coastal areas.

Debris from the aircraft has been located, though rescuers continue to search for the survivors, raising concerns over the chances of recovery given challenging terrain and weather conditions.

An extensive rescue operation has been launched, with approximately 1,200 personnel deployed, including local authorities, the military, and emergency services, coordinating efforts across air, land, and sea.

Indonesia has a history of aviation accidents due to its archipelagic geography, mountainous regions, and rapidly changing weather patterns, which can complicate flight operations for both commercial and surveillance aircraft.

The ATR 42-500 has been widely used in Indonesia for regional transport and government missions. Previous incidents have prompted the country’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation to emphasize stricter safety protocols and enhanced radar monitoring.

Authorities have pledged full investigation into the crash to determine the cause, while families of the passengers and crew are being updated, highlighting the nation’s focus on aviation safety and disaster response.

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