Indonesian Military Helicopter Crashes During Wildfire Suppression Leaving One Dead
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, a military helicopter crashed during a forest firefighting operation in Central Kalimantan province, claiming the life of one crew member.
Citing local newspaper Kompas, the Mi-17V5 military aircraft was transporting eight crew members when the incident took place.
Brigadier General Dony Pramono, head of the army’s information division, stated that the body of one crew member has been recovered and transferred to Kuala Pembuang Hospital.
The military official also noted that five other occupants are in good health and undergoing medical observation at the same medical facility, while search and rescue efforts continue for the remaining two crew members.
According to flight details, the helicopter took off from Kuala Pembuang at 9:55 a.m. local time (02:55 GMT) and headed toward Telaga Pulang village in the Seruyan region to join water-dropping and fire-containment operations near Tanjung Puting National Park.
The army’s information chief further explained that the tragic accident occurred while the aircraft was drawing water to advance the ongoing firefighting efforts.
