World · East Asia & Pacific · 2 hrs ago
Indonesian Army Helicopter Crashes During Firefighting Mission in Kalimantan
An Indonesian Army MI-17V5 helicopter crashed on Wednesday during a forest-firefighting mission in Seruyan District, Central Kalimantan, on Borneo.
It was carrying eight people and was taking water for a water-bombing operation near Tanjung Puting National Park.
The mission took place as wildfires had been burning across parts of Indonesia and sending haze to neighbouring countries.
Accounts differ on the toll: two reports said two crew members died and one was missing, while a later report said three soldiers had died.
Five people survived and were receiving medical care, according to the reports.
The crash cause is under investigation, while rescue and evacuation operations continued.
An Indonesian Army Mi-17V5 helicopter crashed during a wildfire-fighting mission in Seruyan, Central Kalimantan, on November 4.
The helicopter was carrying eight people and crashed while collecting water for a water-bombing operation near Tanjung Puting National Park.
Later reports said three soldiers died and five people survived; early reports said one crew member was still missing.
Rescue teams searched for and evacuated the crew by air and sea, while survivors received medical care in Kuala Pembuang.
The cause of the crash was still under investigation in the reports.
- Who
- Eight people were aboard the Indonesian Army helicopter. Later reports identified three soldiers as dead and said five people survived.
- What
- An Mi-17V5 helicopter crashed during a wildfire-fighting mission.
- When
- Wednesday, November 4, 2026. It took off at about 9:55 a.m. local time and crashed at about 11:18 a.m.
- Where
- Seruyan district, Central Kalimantan, near Tanjung Puting National Park, Borneo.
- Why
- It was supporting wildfire suppression through water bombing. The cause of the crash was under investigation.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The helicopter took off from Kuala Pembuang for Telaga Pulang.
The helicopter crashed in Seruyan district while collecting water for the firefighting mission.
The Indonesian Army and joint teams began rescue and evacuation operations by air and sea.
Reports said three soldiers had died and five people had survived; the cause remained under investigation.
- Aircraft
- Indonesian Army Mi-17V5
- People aboard
- 8
- Deaths
- 3 soldiers, according to later reports
- Survivors
- 5
- Crash location
- Seruyan district, Central Kalimantan
- Mission area
- Tanjung Puting National Park
6 sources
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What people are saying
Eight people were on board. Five are being treated here, two have been confirmed dead, and one is still being searched for
The crew consisted of eight people, five are being treated here, two can be confirmed dead and one is still being searched for
We extend our deepest condolences