Inp.polri.go.id - Jayapura. The Operations Unit Head of Jayapura National Search and Rescue (SAR) Agency Marinus Ohoirat confirmed that the Joint SAR Team was unable to locate the black box of the SAM Air plane (PK-SMW).

As previously reported, on June 23, 2023, the aircraft had lost contact and was subsequently discovered crashed on Mount Mabualem in the Welarek District of Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands.

"It is true that the Joint SAR Team did not find the black box belonging to the PK-SMW aircraft. Currently, all personnel have returned from the accident site," he said on Wednesday (28/6/23).

When found, the aircraft was already in a destroyed and burnt condition, with only the tail section remaining. The search for the black box was conducted after the team evacuated the bodies of six passengers and crew members on June 27, 2023.

The victims were identified as pilot Hari Permadi, co-pilot Levi Murib, and four passengers named Bartolomeus (34), Ebeth Halerohon (29), Dormina Halerohon (17), and Kilimputni (20).

Currently, all the bodies are undergoing identification at Bhayangkara Hospital by the DVI team of the Papua Regional Police. Police Senior Superintendent Nariyana, the Head of the Health Division of Papua Regional Police, acknowledged that the identification process would be time-consuming due to the severe condition of the victims, most of whom suffered burns and were not intact.

"Therefore, we will rely on DNA analysis for identification," he said.

(ndt/hn/um)