A search operation is under way in Indonesia after a plane carrying 11 people lost contact during a domestic flight on Saturday, according to officials.
The ATR 42-500 aircraft, operated by Indonesia Air Transport, was travelling from Yogyakarta to Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi province. Contact with the aircraft was lost while it was flying over Maros district, the Transportation Ministry said.
A post has been established near the last known location by the National Search and Rescue Agency, known as Basarnas, as efforts intensify to locate the aircraft. Authorities said rescue teams have been dispatched to the area.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said it received an initial report concerning the loss of contact with the aircraft, registered as PK-THT. Officials said coordination is ongoing with other agencies as more information becomes available.
Preliminary data indicated weather conditions at the time included visibility of nearly eight kilometres, with partly cloudy skies. Officials said further details are being confirmed in coordination with Indonesia’s meteorology agency.
Basarnas said the aircraft was carrying 11 people, including eight crew members and three passengers. The last contact with the flight was recorded at 1:17pm local time.
According to rescue officials, the aircraft’s last known coordinates were detected near the Leang-Leang area of Maros. Ground teams, supported by aerial assets, were reported to be on their way to the region.
Authorities said updates will be provided as the search operation continues and verified information becomes available.