Indonesia: 4 die as helicopter crashes in Papua gold mining region

The Bell 206 helicopter belonged to PT Amur.

Four people died in a helicopter crash in the district of Nabire, in the Papua province of eastern Indonesia on Saturday.

A Bell 206 helicopter that belonged to PT Amur lost contact with the control tower in Bayabiru, a gold mining area in Papua, before it crashed, Bernama reported.

The head of communications and public information in the Ministry of Transportation Indonesia, Hemi Pamuraharjo, said the mishap happened when the helicopter was attempting to land at a clearing in Cirowo 99.

Immediately after receiving the information, the authorities rushed to the scene. The pilot of the helicopter, named Karmana, died at the scene.

Three other people dead were identified as Ajo, Aswar and Darwis, were seriously injured. They died on the way to a nearby hospital.

"We have not received complete information about the incident, but can confirm that four people were killed in the crash," Hemi Pamuraharjo said.

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