Airfast Helicopter Loses Contact in Boven Digoel, Four Survive

jpnn.com, PAPUA - A helicopter belonging to PT Airfast reportedly lost contact in Boven Digoel, Papua, Thursday (30/12).

A total of four people who were on board, namely Captain Agung Miharja and engineer Fauzan Huda, as well as two passengers who have not been identified, were declared safe.

"It is true that four crew members and passengers of the helicopter with flight code PK-ODB were reportedly safe," said Merauke Search and Rescue (SAR) Office head Supriyanto Ridwan in Jayapura, Friday (31/12) early morning.

Supriyanto said that the four survivors were found by residents in Kali Silet, Boven Digoel regency, Papua.

The Merauke SAR Office received a signal distress from the helicopter at around 7 p.m. local time from the direction of Kawe village, Boven Digoel.

Airnav Boven Digoel also reported this 30 minutes later and was able to identify the helicopter and its coordinates based on the signal.

The helicopter was last detected at an altitude of 1,067 feet and a speed of 43 knots.

Supriyanto said that all survivors were to be evacuated to Tanah Merah, the capital of Boven Digoel, using two helicopters belonging to Asia One and Demonim Air. (antara/mcr20/jpnn)

This news has been broadcast on JPNN.com with the title: Helikopter Hilang Kontak di Papua, Begini Kondisi Kru dan Penumpang Saat Ditemukan