Two Australians have survived a helicopter crash during a water-bombing operation to fight wildfires in Indonesia’s South Kalimantan province, while an Indonesian crew member remains missing.
The helicopter came down in the Barito River on Sunday as it was believed to be collecting water for the firefighting effort. Video footage showed the aircraft losing altitude before plunging into the river.
Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency said the two Australian nationals were safe. Spokesman Berton Panjaitan said the Indonesian crew member had not been found.
“This incident occurred while the air fleet was conducting a water-bombing operation,” Mr Panjaitan told local media.
He said amateur footage appeared to show the helicopter losing control while manoeuvring after scooping water from the river with a bambi bucket.
Further footage showed local people retrieving wreckage from the water. The cause of the crash was being investigated.
It was the second helicopter crash in Indonesia in five days involving aircraft taking part in water-bombing operations. On Wednesday, three people died after a firefighting helicopter crashed in Central Kalimantan.
Indonesia has been battling its most intense wildfires in more than a decade, with large areas affected across Sumatra, Borneo and Papua.
