Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Families of victims from the ATR 42-500 aircraft crash on Mount Bulusaraung, South Sulawesi, have begun ante-mortem examinations to support the Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) process, police said on Sunday (18/1/2026).

“One family member came forward to provide information and DNA samples to help identify the victim once remains are recovered,” said South Sulawesi Regional Police Medical and Health Division Head Senior Superintendent Muhammad Haris, as cited by antaranews.com.

The tests are being conducted at the South Sulawesi Police Medical Unit in Makassar, while other families have undergone similar procedures in West Java. Police confirmed that DNA samples are collected to match potential findings from the crash site.

The ATR aircraft went down in mountainous terrain in Pangkep Regency, carrying 10 people on board, including seven crew members and three passengers. Search and recovery operations are ongoing, involving the Indonesian National Police (INP), SAR teams, and related agencies.

Chief Haris emphasized that ante-mortem data collection is critical to ensure accurate and timely victim identification as part of standard humanitarian and forensic procedures.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)