Three in chopper crash feared dead

Three of five military officers aboard the ill- fated Army helicopter Bell 205 are feared dead as the chopper exploded after it crashed in Paniai regency, Papua.

Spokesman for Papua's Trikora Military Command, Maj. G.P. Situmorang, said on Monday that the rescue team would continue the search, Antara reported.

Two officers were found alive. They were Second Lt. Ikhwan and Second Lt. Teddy Prabowo.

Both suffered injuries in the crash and were rushed to the Freeport hospital Mitra Masyarakat in Timika, Situmorang said.

The two survivors were flown to Jakarta on Monday to receive treatment at Gatot Subroto Army hospital.

According to Ikhwan, the incident occurred when the helicopter, carrying equipment from Timika to Enarotali, the capital town of Paniai Regency, experienced turbulence.

The pilot Second Lt. Yadi tried to control the helicopter and return to Timika but the helicopter crashed with its rear end entangled in the trees. Only Ikhwan and Teddy Prabowo managed to get out of the helicopter before it exploded.

"So, our temporary belief is that the three are dead, but we are still waiting for the result of the search and rescue operation," said Situmorang.

Besides pilot Yadi, the other two missing passengers are mechanics Sgt. Marsito and Chief Sgt. Keman.

Rescue efforts, he added, were hampered by bad weather, making it difficult to reach the crash site.