Identification of ATR 42-500 Crash Victim
Makassar, South Sulawesi – The Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) team has confirmed the identity of one of the victims from the ATR 42-500 aircraft accident. The victim, a flight attendant identified as Florencia Lolita Wibisono, aged 33, was recognized through both post-mortem and ante-mortem examinations after her body was recovered.
During a press conference in Makassar, Senior Commissioner Muhamad Haris, head of the South Sulawesi Police Health and Medical Department, announced the identification results. “The body with post-mortem number 62B.01 matched ante-mortem number AM004 and was identified as Florencia Lolita.”
Methodology of Identification
Brigadier General Mashudi, head of the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency’s Identification Center, noted that the condition of the body allowed for the successful retrieval of papillary features, particularly fingerprints, making the identification process efficient. “We immediately took the fingerprints, and with the equipment we have, we were able to directly determine the victim’s identity,” Mashudi stated.
He explained further that to ensure accuracy, a rigorous comparison was conducted. “We took the left thumb fingerprint and manually compared it with other available reference data.” The meticulous process reinforced their confidence in confirming the identity of Florencia Lolita.
Context of the Accident
The ATR 42-500 aircraft, operated by Indonesia Air Transport (IAT), went missing on January 17, reportedly losing contact near the border of Maros and Pangkajene and Kepulauan districts. The plane was en route to Sultan Hasanuddin Airport, carrying ten occupants: seven crew members and three passengers. As of now, two victims have been found in the Bulusaraung mountainous area in Pangkep, South Sulawesi.
Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the crash, which has raised concerns regarding aviation safety in the region. According to the Reuters report, there have been multiple calls for increased safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Next Steps in Investigation
The DVI post at the South Sulawesi Police’s Bhayangkara Hospital has received two bodies for identification. The first body, identified as female, was received on Tuesday night, while a second, male body arrived on Wednesday morning and has yet to be identified. Investigators continue to work diligently, striving for clarity in this tragic situation.
In light of the recent tragedy, the Indonesian government is under pressure to reevaluate aviation regulations. Transport Minister Budi Karya Sumadi has stated that the ATR aircraft was airworthy prior to the crash, prompting questions about maintenance protocols and safety checks. Reports suggest that further assessments are necessary to ensure that safety regulations are upheld for all air travel within the country.
Community Impact and Support
The loss of life in this tragedy has deeply affected the local community, with condolences pouring in for the families of the victims. In response to the accident, community leaders and local organizations are mobilizing to provide support for those impacted by the disaster.
In addition, the government has initiated a search and rescue operation (SAR) to locate any additional victims and gather vital information about the incident. President Prabowo Subianto directed authorities to expedite efforts, highlighting the urgency for answers and transparency in the investigation process.
Translator: Fatir, Kenzu
Editor: M Razi Rahman
