Maros, January 18, 2026 — The Educational Forest (KHDTK) of Universitas Hasanuddin (Unhas), located in Limappoccoe Village, Cenrana Subdistrict, Maros Regency, has been designated as a search and evacuation post for victims of the ATR 42-500 aircraft accident. The aircraft reportedly lost contact and is suspected to have crashed on Saturday (January 17, 2026) at around 1:30 p.m. WITA in the Maros–Pangkep karst mountainous area.
The use of the KHDTK Educational Forest area is considered highly strategic due to its proximity to the suspected crash site, as well as the availability of facilities and adequate access to support the mobilization of personnel, logistics, and evacuation equipment. The KHDTK Unhas Educational Forest post functions as a coordination center for integrated SAR operations involving the Maros Regency Government and Cenrana Subdistrict authorities, Kodam XIV/Hasanuddin, Yonif Para Raider 700/Wira Yudha Cakti (Airborne), Kostrad 433 Samboeja, Brimob of the South Sulawesi Regional Police, Kodim Maros, Polres Maros, Forest Rangers of Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park, SAR Rescue Teams, Koramil Camba, Polsek Camba, as well as volunteers and medical teams involved in the search and evacuation efforts.
In addition to serving as a coordination center, the post is also utilized as a resting area for personnel, as well as for logistics management and a public kitchen to support all teams operating in the field.
The Dean of the Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Hasanuddin, Prof. Dr. Ir. A. Mujetahid M., S.Hut., M.P., IPU, reaffirmed Unhas’s commitment to supporting humanitarian actions and disaster response efforts.
“The Unhas Educational Forest is part of the institution’s service to the community. Its use as a search and evacuation post reflects the concern and social responsibility of the Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Hasanuddin, in supporting humanitarian efforts,” he stated.
The Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Hasanuddin, continues to coordinate closely with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the search and evacuation operations run safely, orderly, and in accordance with safety standards while maintaining the sustainability of the KHDTK Unhas Educational Forest area.
