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13 reportedly killed in helicopter crash in Poso
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Deadly incident – This picture shows part of an Army helicopter that crashed in Poso regency, Central Sulawesi, on Sunday afternoon. At least thirteen people were reportedly killed in the incident. (thejakartapost.com/Ruslan Sangadji)
A
n Indonesian Army helicopter crashed in Poso regency, Central Sulawesi, at 6:20 p.m. local time on Sunday. Thirteen passengers and crew members reportedly lost their lives in the incident, which occurred in the village of Pattiro Bajo, Poso Pesisir Selatan district.
Military personnel killed in the incident include Central Sulawesi Tadulako 132 Military Resort Command (Korem) chief Col. Saiful Anwar, Palu Military Police Command (POM) commander Lt. Col. Teddy S. Prapat, National Intelligence Agency (BIN) officer Col. Ontang, Military Intelligence Division (BAIS) officer Col. Heri Setiaji, Korem 132 information chief Maj. Faqih Rasyid and Capt. Yanto, chief of the health division at the 1307 Poso Military District Command (Kodim).
Other victims are Second Pvt. Kiki, the assistant of the Korem 132 commander, and six Army aviators, namely Capt. Agung, First Lieut. Wirahadi, Second Lieut. Tito, First Sgt. Bagus, Second Sgt. Karmin and First Pvt. Bangkit.
Poso Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Ronny Suseno confirmed the incident. Speaking to thejakartapost.com, Ronny said the Bell 412 EP helicopter had flown from Watutau village in Lore Piore district, Poso regency, to Kasiguncu Airport in Poso, where a joint police-military team was pursuing members of the East Indonesia Mujahiddin (MIT) terrorist group led by Indonesia’s most wanted fugitive Santoso aka Abu Wardah.
“The location of the helicopter crash is only around 1 to 1.5 kilometers from Kasiguncu Airport, Poso,” said Ronny.
He added that weather conditions in Poso had been bad and suspected the helicopter had been struck by lightning.
Indonesian Military and National Police personnel were deployed to the crash site and 13 ambulances readied to bring the bodies of the victims to the Bhayangkara Police hospital in Palu, Central Sulawesi. (ebf)
