This photo provided by Indonesia's National Search And Rescue Agency (Basarnas) shows rescuers preparing for search and rescue operations in Sekadau regency in West Kalimantan province, Indonesia, April 16, 2026. Rescuers said Thursday that eight people on board a missing helicopter were confirmed dead. Debris from the helicopter was found in Indonesia's West Kalimantan province earlier that day. (Basarnas/Handout via Xinhua)
JAKARTA, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Rescuers said Thursday that eight people on board a missing helicopter were confirmed dead. Debris from the helicopter was found in Indonesia's West Kalimantan province earlier that day.
Rescuer official Lieutenant Colonel Nurrachman Gindha Dradhizya said part of the victims had been found at the crash site. "Four bodies have been successfully evacuated and placed in body bags, while three others remain inside the helicopter wreckage," he said on Thursday evening.
According to the flight manifest, the helicopter carried eight people. The body of the last victim is still being searched for as of now. However, the evacuation could not be continued due to dark conditions. The team decided to temporarily suspend the operation and will resume it on Friday morning.
"We will continue tomorrow morning, including efforts to cut through the helicopter wreckage to retrieve the bodies still inside," Dradhizya added. ■
This photo provided by Indonesia's National Search And Rescue Agency (Basarnas) shows debris of a helicopter which crashed in Sekadau regency in West Kalimantan province, Indonesia, April 16, 2026. Rescuers said Thursday that eight people on board a missing helicopter were confirmed dead. Debris from the helicopter was found in Indonesia's West Kalimantan province earlier that day. (Basarnas/Handout via Xinhua)