Hikers on Mount Bulusaraung have reported finding scattered debris, a logo consistent with Indonesia Air Transport markings.<\/b>
\nA regional passenger aircraft carrying 11 people lost contact with ground control on Saturday while approaching a mountainous region between Indonesia\u2019s main island of Java and Sulawesi island, officials said. A search and rescue operation is under way.
The turboprop ATR 42-500 operated by Indonesia Air Transport was on the way from Yogyakarta to the capital city of South Sulawesi when it vanished from radar, said Endah Purnama Sari, a spokesperson for the transportation ministry. The plane was last tracked at 1.17pm (2.17pm Hong Kong time) in the Leang-Leang area of Maros, a mountainous district of South Sulawesi province.
Multiple search and rescue teams, supported by air force helicopters, drones and ground units, had been deployed, Sari said in a statement.
Hopes for locating the wreckage grew after hikers on Mount Bulusaraung reported finding scattered debris, a logo consistent with Indonesia Air Transport markings, and small fires still burning at the scene.
\u201cThe sightings were reported to authorities and are being verified by rescue teams attempting to reach the area,\u201d said Major General Bangun Nawoko, the South Sulawesi\u2019s Hasanuddin military commander.
Sari said the plane disappeared shortly after being instructed by air traffic control to correct its approach alignment. \u201cAfter the last ATC instructions, radio contact was lost and controllers declared the emergency distress phase.\u201d<\/p>\n