Indonesian Aircraft Carrying 11 People Reported Missing Near Makassar
By Lions Roar News International Desk
JAKARTA, INDONESIA (Sunday, January 18, 2026) — Search and rescue operations have been launched in Indonesia following reports that an ATR 42-500 aircraft has gone missing. Local media reports indicate that the plane, carrying 11 people, lost contact with air traffic control while flying near the city of Makassar.
The aircraft reportedly belongs to the Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, raising concerns about the safety of government officials and crew onboard.
📡 Loss of Contact Near Makassar
The aircraft was conducting a flight over the South Sulawesi province when it disappeared from radar screens. Preliminary reports suggest the loss of signal occurred in the vicinity of Makassar, a major port city and aviation hub.
- Flight Type: ATR 42-500 (Twin-turboprop short-haul regional airliner).
- Onboard: 11 individuals, including crew members and personnel from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries.
- Agency Involved: The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (Kementerian Kelautan dan Perikanan – KKP).
🚁 Search and Rescue (SAR) Mobilization
Indonesian authorities, including the National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS), have been alerted. Emergency teams are currently coordinating to pinpoint the last known location of the aircraft.
Weather conditions in the region are being analyzed to determine if they played a role in the disappearance. The ATR 42-500 is commonly used for maritime patrol and regional transport across the Indonesian archipelago.
🌊 Strategic Role of the Aircraft
The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries utilizes such aircraft for:
- Illegal Fishing Surveillance: Monitoring Indonesia’s vast territorial waters for unauthorized fishing vessels.
- Environmental Protection: Surveying coral reefs and marine protected areas.
- Logistics: Transporting ministry officials between the country’s thousands of islands.
