A helicopter carrying eight people has gone missing on Indonesia’s Borneo island, prompting urgent search and rescue operations, officials confirmed on Monday.
The helicopter, operated by charter company Eastindo Air, was carrying two crew members and six passengers when it lost contact with air traffic control shortly after takeoff. The incident occurred in South Kalimantan province, where the aircraft had departed before communication was abruptly cut.
Local rescue agency head in Banjarmasin, I Putu Sudayana, said in a video statement that efforts were underway to locate the missing aircraft. “Our search will last seven days from the incident. Hopefully, we can locate the victims today, and we hope everyone is found safe,” he said.
Search operations have been mounted despite difficult terrain and challenging weather conditions in Borneo, which is known for its vast rainforests. Authorities are deploying rescue teams, helicopters, and ground units to scour potential crash sites.
Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, relies heavily on air transport to bridge its remote regions. However, the country has long struggled with aviation safety standards, suffering a series of accidents over the years. Investigations into past crashes have often pointed to poor maintenance, inadequate training, and challenging flying conditions in remote areas.
Borneo, the world’s third-largest island, is shared by Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. The Indonesian portion, known as Kalimantan, has large stretches of dense rainforest, mountains, and rivers, which can complicate search efforts.
As families await news of their loved ones, officials remain hopeful that the crew and passengers will be found alive. The disappearance adds to concerns about aviation safety in the region, underscoring the risks faced by those who depend on air travel in Indonesia’s rugged and often inaccessible landscapes.
