Indonesian rescuers have found the wreckage of a fisheries surveillance plane that went missing near Mount Bulusaraung in South Sulawesi.

The ATR 42-500, carrying 11 people, lost contact Saturday afternoon, prompting an extensive search amid foggy, mountainous terrain.

The ATR 42-500 turboprop, operated by Indonesia Air Transport, was chartered by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries for fisheries surveillance. Onboard were eight crew members and three ministry staff, all en route to Makassar from Yogyakarta when contact was lost around 1:30 p.m. local time near Maros.

On Sunday morning, rescuers located debris scattered across Mount Bulusaraung, including a plane window, fuselage parts, and the tail. Andi Sultan, an official from South Sulawesi’s rescue agency, said the wreckage was sighted between 7:46 a.m. and 7:49 a.m. local time, though thick fog and strong winds are hindering recovery operations.

Massive rescue operation underway

South Sulawesi’s rescue agency has deployed 1,200 personnel, along with military helicopters, drones, and ground teams to search for survivors. Muhammad Arif Anwar, head of the agency, emphasized that their top priority is locating and safely evacuating the victims.

Steep terrain, unpredictable weather, and limited visibility are complicating the operation. Reports from hikers also indicate small fires and scattered debris near the mountain peak, suggesting the plane’s crash site may be in difficult-to-access areas.

Technical and investigation details

Flightradar24 data shows the plane was flying low over the ocean before it rapidly lost altitude approximately 20 km northeast of Makassar Airport. The ATR 42-500, manufactured by ATR, is a regional turboprop capable of carrying 42–50 passengers.

Indonesia’s National Transportation Safety Committee will lead the crash investigation. While the cause remains unknown, experts note that aviation accidents are typically the result of multiple contributing factors. ATR specialists are assisting with the probe.

Indonesia has experienced multiple transportation incidents in recent years, often linked to regulatory and safety enforcement challenges. Authorities say lessons from past accidents will inform both the ongoing search and subsequent safety recommendations.