BNPB Says Forest Firefighting Will Continue Despite Helicopter Crash

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) said efforts to tackle forest and land fires in several areas would continue, with safety measures tightened following a helicopter crash in the Barito River, South Kalimantan.

“We want to emphasise that this incident does not lessen the Government’s commitment to continuing to tackle forest and land fires. Firefighting operations must continue, but they must be carried out with strict attention to safety,” acting head of BNPB’s Centre for Data, Information and Disaster Communication Berton SP Panjaitan said at an online press conference attended in Jakarta on Sunday (8 November), Antara reported.

A Super Puma H-225 helicopter, registered as VH-HGM, was suspected to have crashed in the waters of the Barito River near Tabatan village, Kuripan sub-district, Barito Kuala regency, South Kalimantan, on Sunday (8 November).

The latest information received by BNPB said that two of the helicopter’s three crew members had been found safe. Both were Australian pilots and have received medical treatment.

The third crew member, Indonesian national Yayan Supyansuri, who was serving as a Helicopter Landing Officer (HLO), remains missing and is being searched for.

Berton said the Banjarmasin Search and Rescue Office had dispatched an 18-person rescue team at 1.10pm Central Indonesia Time.

The search operation also involves the Indonesian Air Force, the National Police, village supervisory non-commissioned officers (Babinsa) and local residents. BNPB said its immediate priorities were searching for the missing crew member, ensuring the surviving pilots’ recovery and securing the helicopter wreckage on the riverbank.

BNPB also pledged to facilitate an official investigation by the relevant authorities to establish the cause of the crash and prevent speculation among the public.

As a follow-up, BNPB will conduct a comprehensive review of the safety of aerial operations. The review will cover aircraft readiness, water-bombing procedures, crew airworthiness, weather conditions and the characteristics of the site.