inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi hopes that all the missing victims of the Indonesia Air Transport ATR 42-500 plane crash will be found soon by the joint Search and Rescue (SAR) team operating on Mount Bulusaraung, Pangkajene Islands Regency (Pangkep), South Sulawesi.

"We hope that we can find these victims safely. We ask for your prayers. And I ask that our journalists convey the news effectively to the public," said the Minister of Transportation on Monday (1/19/2026).

During the monitoring, he stated that weather conditions were quite extreme. Therefore, Dudy hopes that the joint SAR team will complete the search and evacuation process for the victims soon.

"We pray that our colleagues in the field can work well by always prioritizing safety in carrying out their duties," said the Minister.

He emphasized that his presence at the location was to directly monitor the progress of the search for victims of the plane that crashed into Mount Bulusaraung on Saturday (1/17/2026).

"We are here to observe the well-coordinated work of the SAR Team, with assistance from the local government, the Indonesian National Military (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (INP), and all relevant stakeholders," explained Minister Dudy.

He also thanked the various parties involved in handling the incident. 

"We take this opportunity to express our gratitude for the excellent cooperation in the search and rescue efforts for the victims of the ATR aircraft accident," he said.

The Minister of Transportation explained that the ATR 42-500 aircraft had been used to support ongoing systematic monitoring of data and information collection, as part of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries' (KKP) duties.

"Currently, we are focused on the search and rescue, which will be coordinated by Basarnas, as well as activities to locate aircraft parts and victims. These will be coordinated by Basarnas," the Minister explained. He hoped for the best results in these efforts.

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