Wildfire response continues after helicopter crash: BNPB

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) affirmed that efforts to tackle forest and land fires in several regions are continuing with stricter safety measures following a helicopter crash during a firefighting mission.

“We want to stress that this incident does not diminish the government’s commitment to continuing efforts to tackle forest and land fires,” Acting Head of BNPB’s Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center Berton SP Panjaitan said here on Sunday.

Earlier, a Super Puma H-225 transport helicopter, registration number VH-HGM, crashed into the Barito River near Tabatan Village, Kuripan Sub-district, Barito Kuala District, South Kalimantan, on Sunday (November 8).

The latest data received by BNPB indicated that two of the helicopter’s three crew members had been found safe. Both, who are Australian pilots, have received medical treatment.

The third crew member, Helicopter Landing Officer (HLO) Yayan Supyansuri, an Indonesian citizen, remains missing, and search efforts are ongoing.

According to Panjaitan, the Banjarmasin Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) office dispatched a rescue team comprising 18 personnel at 1:10 p.m. local time.

The search operation also involves the Indonesian Air Force, the National Police, village-level military officers (Babinsa), and local residents.

BNPB stressed that its main priorities were to locate the missing crew member, ensure the surviving pilots received medical care, and secure the helicopter wreckage along the riverbank.

The agency also reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating an official investigation by the relevant authorities to establish the exact cause of the crash and prevent public speculation.

As a follow-up measure, BNPB will conduct a comprehensive safety evaluation of aerial operations, covering fleet technical readiness, water-bombing procedures, crew fitness, weather conditions, and site characteristics.

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Translator: Tri, Kenzu
Editor: Primayanti
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