Kuala Lumpur: A passenger aircraft crashed in Indonesia, killing all 11 people on board, international news agencies reported.
The small ATR 42-500 aircraft, operated by Indonesia Air Transport (IAT), was being used for a domestic flight when the tragic incident occurred.
The plane had taken off from Yogyakarta and was heading toward South Sulawesi when contact with air traffic control was suddenly lost shortly after departure.
Communication was cut off while the aircraft was flying near the mountainous Liang area of Maros district, where weather conditions were also reported to be unfavorable.
Preliminary information suggests that during the approach phase, the aircraft was not responding to air traffic control instructions, after which the signal was lost.
Search and rescue teams immediately launched an operation involving helicopters, drones, and ground forces. During the search, debris and signs of small fires were spotted in several locations.
Rescue efforts faced major challenges due to the rugged and mountainous terrain.
The aircraft was carrying eight crew members and three passengers, all of whom were killed at the scene.
The plane was part of the Indonesia Air Transport fleet and was also used for maritime surveillance missions.
Witnesses in nearby areas reported hearing explosion-like sounds; however, the exact cause of the crash has not yet been determined.
Indonesia, an archipelago consisting of thousands of islands, heavily relies on air travel as a primary mode of transportation.
