Two Indonesian army soldiers killed in helicopter crash

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Two Indonesian Army soldiers were killed after an Mi-17V5 helicopter crashed in the waters off Sungai Perlu Village, Seruyan District, Central Kalimantan, on Wednesday (Nov 4).

The Army identified the dead as Lieutenant Colonel Dudi Firmansyah and First Lieutenant Nurhafiz Akbar Rizki Hartio. Their bodies were flown to Semarang, Central Java, on Thursday.

Five other crew members survived, they are Captain Febri, Second Lieutenant Fercis, Private First Class Gilang, Chief Sergeant Kadiya, and Captain Suganda. All five survivors are receiving medical treatment at Kuala Pembuang Regional Hospital.

The remaining crew member, Second Sergeant Heri, had yet to be evacuated because of high water levels, the Army said.

Related news: Helicopter crashes while battling forest fire in Kalimantan, two dead

The Mi-17V5 helicopter, operated by the Army Aviation Center, crashed at around 11:18 a.m. local time.

The helicopter took off from Kuala Pembuang at 9:55 a.m. to support forest and land firefighting operations in Tanjung Puting National Park.

It encountered flight difficulties while collecting water in Sungai Perlu Village for a water-bombing operation and crashed into the waters.

The Army immediately dispatched personnel by air to evacuate the crew following the crash.

"The rescue operation prioritized ensuring that all personnel received assistance as quickly as possible," the Army said in its statement.

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Translator: Walda M, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fransiska Ninditya
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