ISTANBUL

The Indonesian army has recovered the bodies of two people from a plane that crashed in the Mt. Bulusaraung area of South Sulawesi province, state-run media reported on Tuesday.

According to Antara news agency, citing a military statement, army personnel involved in a joint search and rescue (SAR) operation located the victims in the aircraft’s fuselage and tail section.

Brig. Gen. Donny Pramono, head of the Indonesian Army Information Service, said the evacuation was carried out via land routes using mountaineering techniques, as strong winds and thick fog restricted aerial access.

Despite extremely challenging terrain and unpredictable weather conditions, rescue teams have continued their efforts in a disciplined and coordinated manner, he added.

The ATR 42-500 aircraft, operated by Indonesia Air Transport, lost contact on Saturday in the Maros district while en route from Yogyakarta to Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi.

Debris from the plane was discovered on Sunday. The aircraft was carrying 11 people, including eight crew members and three passengers.