An Airbus H130 helicopter with six passengers and two crew members on board crashed in the Indonesian province of West Kalimantan, killing all on board, Reuters reported, citing local authorities.
According to Mohammad Syafi, head of Indonesia's rescue agency, the helicopter disappeared from radar on the morning of April 16, five minutes after taking off from a plantation in Melavi. Rescuers later found debris, possibly the tail section of the aircraft, approximately 3 kilometers from where contact was lost. According to Syafi, the crash site is located in a densely forested area with rugged mountainous terrain.
All eight people on board have died, the local rescue service confirmed.
The cause of the helicopter crash is under investigation.
AFP previously reported that a Matthew Air Nusantara helicopter operating a domestic flight between cities in the region had disappeared from radar in West Kalimantan province. Contact with the helicopter was lost shortly after takeoff. About 20 rescuers were sent to search for it.