One crew member was killed, and two others survived after a firefighting helicopter crashed into the Barito River in Indonesia’s South Kalimantan province on Sunday.
Footage shows the wreckage partly submerged in the river, with rescue officers aboard a speedboat near the crash site. Locals can also be seen gathered behind a cordon along the riverbank.
Banjarmasin Search and Rescue Office chief I Putu Sudayana said rescuers recovered the body of Indonesian crew member Yayan Supyansuri at 18:08 local time. The other two crew members were rescued alive.
The Eurocopter EC225LP Super Puma crashed near Tabatan village in Barito Kuala district while collecting water for firefighting operations.
The privately owned aircraft had been contracted by Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency, BNPB, to support efforts to tackle forest and land fires.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash, while BNPB said it would review aviation safety procedures, including aircraft readiness, water collection operations and crew fitness.
Source: Viory
