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.
Second helicopter crash in Borneo within days
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.
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Indonesia struggles to contain widespread wildfires
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.
