Passenger Plane With 11 On Board Goes Missing in Indonesia

A passenger aircraft carrying 11 people has gone missing in Indonesia, after losing contact with air traffic control, triggering an urgent search and rescue operation by authorities.

According to official sources, communication with the aircraft was lost at 1:17 pm local time on Saturday (January 17). The plane, an ATR-42-500 model, was operating a domestic flight from Jakarta to Makassar when it disappeared from radar.

Aviation authorities said the aircraft was flying along a regular commercial route when air traffic controllers lost all contact. Shortly after the communication blackout, the flight was officially declared missing. The total number of people on board, including passengers and crew, was confirmed to be 11.

Indonesia’s national search and rescue agency immediately launched operations involving ground teams, aircraft, and coordination with local authorities along the suspected flight path. Officials noted that challenging weather conditions and Indonesia’s rugged geography may complicate rescue efforts, particularly if the aircraft went down in a remote or mountainous area.

The disappearance was first reported by Australian media, prompting regional attention to the incident. Families of those on board have been notified, and emergency response centers have been activated to provide updates and assistance.

Indonesia relies heavily on regional air travel to connect its vast archipelago, especially for routes linking major cities with outlying areas. While authorities stressed that it is too early to determine the cause of the disappearance, aviation investigators said a full inquiry would be launched if wreckage is located.

As of now, no debris or survivors have been found, and the search operation remains ongoing.

Sources: Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Reuters, BBC News, Indonesia Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS)