Helicopter with 8 on board loses contact in Indonesia

A helicopter carrying 8 people has lost contact in Indonesia’s West Kalimantan province, according to local authorities. A distress signal was later detected as search teams moved in to locate the aircraft.

The helicopter, identified as PK-CFX, disappeared at about 8:39 a.m. local time on Thursday during a short flight from a plantation area in Melawi to the Pontianak area, according to information relayed to search and rescue officials by Indonesia’s air navigation agency.

Authorities said there were 8 people on board, including 2 crew members and 6 passengers. The aircraft had taken off at 8:34 a.m. and was expected to arrive about 15 minutes later.

Search officials said a distress signal was later detected, pointing to an area near Tapang Tingang village in West Kalimantan, according to local news outlet KDK News.

The helicopter had been seen leaving a plantation area before it disappeared, according to KDK News. Officials believe it had just completed work in the region and was heading back toward Pontianak.

Local officials said they had received the report and were coordinating to gather more information. Rescue teams have been deployed with evacuation, medical and communications equipment.