On the third day of search and rescue (SAR) operations for the ATR 42-500 plane crash in Gunung Bulusaraung, South Sulawesi, a joint team found victims' belongings and plane parts. These discoveries came from searches in extreme terrain, serving as key clues for further evacuation. Meanwhile, the DVI team has examined DNA from eight victim families, though no bodies have been received yet.
The ATR 42-500 plane operated by Indonesia Air Transport on the Yogyakarta-Makassar route crashed in the Bulusaraung Mountains area, Maros-Pangkep Regency, South Sulawesi, on January 17, 2026. The incident claimed 10 lives, including seven crew members and three passengers.
On the third day of SAR operations, Tuesday (January 20, 2026), the joint team discovered several victims' belongings along the extreme trail between the peak and Pos 9 on the Bulusaraung climbing route. Items included personal documents, a wallet, a notebook, and electronics like a smartwatch. Additionally, plane parts such as a life vest and fire signal were found near the aircraft's nose.
"Up to the third day of operations, the joint SAR team has successfully found several victims' belongings and plane parts in the search area at Gunung Bulusaraung," said Muhammad Arif Anwar, Head of the Class A Makassar Search and Rescue Office and SAR Mission Coordinator.
All findings have been secured, cataloged, and marked with coordinates per procedure, aiding in narrowing the search area. The steep, high-risk terrain requires special techniques like rappelling and trail clearing, with major challenges from thick fog and rapid weather changes.
Basarnas Chief, Air Marshal TNI Mohammad Syafii, expressed appreciation for the team's hard work. "This is the result of hard work, discipline, and collaboration from all elements in the field," he stated. Operations will continue professionally until evacuation is complete.
Separately, the DVI team from South Sulawesi Police examined DNA from eight victim families on January 19, 2026, using a door-to-door approach to speed up the process. However, no bodies have been received yet for post-mortem examination.
