Palu, C Sulawesi, (Antara)- Commander of the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) General Gatot Nurmantio has said that a black box of Indonesia's military helicopter that crashed in Poso, Sunday afternoon, is still being looked for.
The general arrived in Palu on Monday morning to see 13 military officers, including three colonels, who were killed in the Bell 412 helicopter accident.
The victims include Colonel Saiful Anwar, commander of the Tadulalo Regiment 132 who led an operation to hunt Santo-led terrorist group in Poso.
The TNI Chief is in Palu on behalf of President Joko Widodo who mourned the deaths of the military officers.
The ill-fated helicopter with 13 people aboard left Napu for Poso on Sunday at 5:15 p.m. local time, but after flying for 20 minutes, it crashed due to downpour and strong wind. No one survived the crash.
After identifications, the remains of the officers will be taken to Jakarta for a military funeral at Kalibata Heroes' Cemetery located in southern Jakarta.
The military said that the accident was most likely caused by bad weather.(*)
