Two Australians confirmed safe after Borneo helicopter crash

A helicopter involved in battling forest fires in Indonesia crashed into a river on Borneo, with two Australian crew members surviving and a third Indonesian crew member missing, according to Indonesia's Disaster Mitigation Agency. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation. Video footage shows the helicopter collecting water for fire-fighting operations from a river in South Kalimantan province, Indonesia before losing control and crashing into the river.

Local residents assisted in retrieving the wreckage from the river. The two surviving Australians are receiving medical attention, while Indonesian search and rescue personnel, Basarnas, are en route to the accident site. The helicopter, contracted by Indonesian authorities, is frequently utilized for disaster response missions across various regions of Indonesia, including Banjarmasin, Pontianak, and Surabaya.

The relevant team is currently on standby, with a comprehensive report on the accident's timeline and exact cause being prepared for public release. This crash occurred after a separate water-bombing helicopter carrying eight crew members crashed earlier this week in Central Kalimantan, resulting in the deaths of three Indonesian crew members.

Both helicopters were engaged in water-bombing operations to combat intense forest and land fires across Indonesia, particularly in Borneo, Sumatra, and Papua. Environmental monitor Nusantara Atlas reported that more than 1.9 million hectares had burned in Indonesia up to September, with over 100,000 personnel involved in firefighting efforts.

The fires have produced hazardous smoke haze across the region, with over 400,000 acute respiratory infections recorded in Indonesia alone, according to the health ministry. The country's fire season is exacerbated by drought and heat caused by a Super El Niño, often linked to land-clearing operations for plantations. Indonesian police have identified more than 240 individuals and 20 companies as suspects for deliberately or negligently lighting fires.