A helicopter involved in Indonesia's wildfire-fighting operations crashed into a river in South Kalimantan province on Sunday (Nov 8), leaving one crew member missing. Two other crew members, both Australian nationals, were rescued and reported safe, according to the country's disaster mitigation agency. The incident occurred on Borneo Island while the aircraft was collecting water from the Barito River for a firefighting operation. It is the second helicopter crash linked to wildfire-control missions in the region within days.<h2>Dramatic footage captures helicopter plunging into river</h2>Video footage of Sunday's incident showed the helicopter losing control after collecting water using a specialised bucket known as a Bambi Bucket. The aircraft appeared to be pulled downwards before crashing nose-first into the river. Berton Panjaitan, a spokesperson for Indonesia's national disaster mitigation agency, said the helicopter was carrying out a water-bombing mission when the accident occurred. He said the aircraft appeared to have lost control while manoeuvring after scooping water from the river. The helicopter, a Eurocopter EC225LP Super Puma, belonged to a company contracted by the disaster mitigation agency for firefighting operations. While two Australian crew members were rescued, an Indonesian national remained missing.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/florida-crash-learjet-debris-tore-through-roof-of-home-landed-in-kitchen-1793847698215">Florida crash: Learjet debris tore through roof of home, landed in kitchen, more found at a man's workplace</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">A helicopter has crashed into a river in Indonesia https://t.co/TJ6EUYKaEI&mdash; Surajit (@surajit_ghosh2) <a href="https://x.com/surajit_ghosh2/status/2119315185047638082?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 8, 2026</a></blockquote>
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<h2>Second helicopter crash in Borneo within days</h2>Sunday's accident comes just days after another helicopter crashed during a firefighting mission in Borneo on Nov 4. The military helicopter, which was carrying eight people, went down in the waters near Tanjung Puting National Park, killing three people. The aircraft was reportedly collecting seawater for a water-bombing operation when the accident occurred. The military said an investigation had been launched to establish the cause of the crash. Tanjung Puting National Park is known for its rich biodiversity and is home to critically endangered Bornean orangutans.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-school-bus-crash-seven-year-old-among-two-killed-several-injured-after-driver-dozes-off-1793990386189">France school bus crash: Seven-year-old among two killed, several injured after driver ‘dozes off’</a><h2>Indonesia struggles to contain widespread wildfires</h2>Indonesia has been battling extensive wildfires across Sumatra, Borneo and Papua for several months. The blazes have destroyed large stretches of land and generated thick smoke, with haze spreading to neighbouring countries, including Malaysia, Singapore and East Timor. According to deforestation monitor Nusantara Atlas, the fires have affected more than 1.9 million hectares of land. The country has deployed both ground-based firefighting teams and aircraft to contain the blazes, with helicopters playing a significant role in aerial water-bombing operations. A strong El Nino weather phenomenon has contributed to the crisis by intensifying dry conditions in Indonesia, where the climate pattern is typically associated with reduced rainfall and drought.

A firefighting helicopter crashed into the Barito River in Indonesia's South Kalimantan province while battling wildfires, leaving one crew member missing. Two Australian nationals were rescued. The incident marks the second helicopter crash during firefighting operations in Borneo in days

A helicopter involved in Indonesia's wildfire-fighting operations crashed into a river in South Kalimantan province on Sunday (Nov 8), leaving one crew member missing. Two other crew members, both Australian nationals, were rescued and reported safe, according to the country's disaster mitigation agency. The incident occurred on Borneo Island while the aircraft was collecting water from the Barito River for a firefighting operation. It is the second helicopter crash linked to wildfire-control missions in the region within days. Dramatic footage captures helicopter plunging into river Video footage of Sunday's incident showed the helicopter losing control after collecting water using a specialised bucket known as a Bambi Bucket. The aircraft appeared to be pulled downwards before crashing nose-first into the river. Berton Panjaitan, a spokesperson for Indonesia's national disaster mitigation agency, said the helicopter was carrying out a water-bombing mission when the accident occurred. He said the aircraft appeared to have lost control while manoeuvring after scooping water from the river. The helicopter, a Eurocopter EC225LP Super Puma, belonged to a company contracted by the disaster mitigation agency for firefighting operations. While two Australian crew members were rescued, an Indonesian national remained missing. Also Read: Florida crash: Learjet debris tore through roof of home, landed in kitchen, more found at a man's workplace

A firefighting helicopter crashed into the Barito River in Indonesia's South Kalimantan province while battling wildfires, leaving one crew member missing. Two Australian nationals were rescued. The incident marks the second helicopter crash during firefighting operations in Borneo in days

Crew member missing after water-bombing helicopter crashes into river in Indonesia

All eight people on board killed in Indonesia helicopter crashA helicopter crashed in Indonesia’s West Kalimantan province, killing all eight people on board, the authorities said on Friday (Apr 17). The Airbus H130 was flying between palm oil plantations on Borneo Island when it lost contact on Thursday shortly after taking off from Melawi district. It was on its way to another palm oil plantation in the Kubu Raya district. Following a search operation, the wreckage was located in the dense forests in Sekadau district, and the bodies of the two crew members and six passengers were recovered, the National Search and Rescue Agency and the Transportation Ministry said. One of those who lost their lives was a Malaysian.“The location of the ​crash or loss of contact is in a densely forested area with steep hilly terrain,” said Mohammad Syafii, the head ​of Indonesia’s rescue agency. He added that the helicopter ​lost contact on Thursday morning, five minutes ​after taking off. The rescuers found debris suspected to be the tail of the helicopter approximately 3 ‌km (2 ⁠miles) west of where it lost contact.“Eight passengers have been found; all were deceased,” said Sekadau police Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit Zainal Abidin, local media reported. He added that all eight bodies have been transported to Pontianak.The cause of the crash is not known yet, the authorities said. Meanwhile, the rescuers, including ​police and military personnel, were trying to reach the site of the crash via land routes on Friday. The plantation area where the helicopter crashed is owned by an Indonesian ​palm oil company, Citra Mahkota. The helicopter was owned by PT Matthew Air Nusantara, Syafii said.Home to about 270 million people, the sprawling archipelago of Indonesia has witnessed several transportation accidents, including plane and helicopter crashes and ferry sinkings.&nbsp;

An Airbus H130 helicopter crashed in Indonesia’s West Kalimantan, killing all eight on board. The chopper lost contact minutes after taking off from Melawi district.

All eight people on board killed in Indonesia helicopter crash A helicopter crashed in Indonesia’s West Kalimantan province, killing all eight people on board, the authorities said on Friday (Apr 17). The Airbus H130 was flying between palm oil plantations on Borneo Island when it lost contact on Thursday shortly after taking off from Melawi district. It was on its way to another palm oil plantation in the Kubu Raya district. Following a search operation, the wreckage was located in the dense forests in Sekadau district, and the bodies of the two crew members and six passengers were recovered, the National Search and Rescue Agency and the Transportation Ministry said. One of those who lost their lives was a Malaysian. “The location of the crash or loss of contact is in a densely forested area with steep hilly terrain,” said Mohammad Syafii, the head of Indonesia’s rescue agency. He added that the helicopter lost contact on Thursday morning, five minutes after taking off. The rescuers found debris suspected to be the tail of the helicopter approximately 3 ‌km (2 ⁠miles) west of where it lost contact. “Eight passengers have been found; all were deceased,” said Sekadau police Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit Zainal Abidin, local media reported. He added that all eight bodies have been transported to Pontianak. The cause of the crash is not known yet, the authorities said. Meanwhile, the rescuers, including police and military personnel, were trying to reach the site of the crash via land routes on Friday. The plantation area where the helicopter crashed is owned by an Indonesian palm oil company, Citra Mahkota. The helicopter was owned by PT Matthew Air Nusantara, Syafii said. Home to about 270 million people, the sprawling archipelago of Indonesia has witnessed several transportation accidents, including plane and helicopter crashes and ferry sinkings.

An Airbus H130 helicopter crashed in Indonesia’s West Kalimantan, killing all eight on board. The chopper lost contact minutes after taking off from Melawi district.

All eight people on board killed in Indonesia helicopter crash – What we know

Four soldiers were killed and five others were injured after a helicopter crashed during a training exercise on Indonesia's Java island on Saturday, an army official said.

The men were in the middle of a flying lesson when the MI-17 helicopter crashed and caught fire in central Java province.

"The incident killed four crew members and injured five others," said Nefra Firdaus, Indonesian Army spokesman, in a statement.

The injured were evacuated and taken to hospital.&nbsp;The cause of the accident is still under investigation.

Firdaus said that prior to the accident the helicopter had undergone a pre-flight check and was found to be in good condition.

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Four soldiers were killed and five others were injured after a helicopter crashed during a training exercise on Indonesia's Java island on Saturday, an army official said.

Four soldiers were killed and five others were injured after a helicopter crashed during a training exercise on Indonesia's Java island on Saturday, an army official said. The men were in the middle of a flying lesson when the MI-17 helicopter crashed and caught fire in central Java province. "The incident killed four crew members and injured five others," said Nefra Firdaus, Indonesian Army spokesman, in a statement. The injured were evacuated and taken to hospital. The cause of the accident is still under investigation. Firdaus said that prior to the accident the helicopter had undergone a pre-flight check and was found to be in good condition.

Four soldiers killed in helicopter crash in Indonesia