Indonesia: Search and rescue teams in Indonesia are conducting extensive operations to locate a helicopter that went missing over the forests of Borneo on Monday, carrying eight people on board. The Airbus BK117 D-3, operated by Eastindo Air, lost contact with air traffic control just eight minutes after departing from Kotabaru Airport in South Kalimantan province. The helicopter was en route to Palangkaraya City in Central Kalimantan Province.

Among the eight passengers are three foreign nationals, including an American, a Brazilian, and an Indian. Authorities have deployed a joint team of 140 personnel comprising police, military, local agencies, and residents to search a 27-square-kilometer stretch of forest in Mantewe, Tanahbumbu district.

The rescue operation is further supported by two helicopters, which will take turns sweeping the area from the air. I Putu Sudayana, head of the Banjarmasin Search and Rescue Agency, expressed hope that the coordinated efforts would help locate the missing helicopter. “Hopefully, with everyone’s prayers, today’s operation will be successful and we will be able to find the location of the incident,” he said.

Authorities continue to work tirelessly, combining air and ground efforts, to ensure the safety of the passengers and bring closure to the ongoing search operation.