Indonesian military helicopter loses contact in Papua

An Indonesian military helicopter with 12 people on board lost contact with air traffic control Friday just minutes after takeoff, an official said.

The Mi-17 chopper was en route from Oksibil, in easternmost Papua province to Sentani, also in Papua. All passengers on board were military crew and the aircraft was carrying logistical supplies, Papua military spokesman Muhammad Aidi said.

It took off at 11:44 am Friday local time and was supposed to land in Sentani 1.5 hours later. “The plane originally took off in Okbibab district, but it had to refuel in Oksibil,” Aidi said.