Indonesian rescue authorities have located suspected wreckage from a missing aircraft that lost contact while flying over South Sulawesi, intensifying search efforts for the 11 people believed to be on board. The aircraft disappeared from radar on Saturday as it approached mountainous terrain under challenging weather conditions.

The ATR 42-500 turboprop was en route from Yogyakarta on the island of Java to Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi, when air traffic controllers instructed the pilot to adjust the aircraft’s approach. Shortly after the instruction, the plane lost contact, prompting an immediate search and rescue operation.

On Sunday, Indonesian officials confirmed that debris believed to be from the missing fisheries surveillance plane had been found near a fog-covered mountain area in South Sulawesi province. While the discovery confirms a crash site, rescue teams are continuing efforts to locate the passengers and crew.

Muhammad Arif Anwar, head of South Sulawesi’s rescue agency, stated on local television that more than 1,200 personnel are being deployed to the area to conduct an extensive ground and aerial search. Authorities are facing difficult conditions, including dense fog and rugged terrain, which are complicating rescue operations.

The incident has raised renewed concerns about flight safety in mountainous regions of Indonesia, where rapidly changing weather and limited visibility often pose serious risks to aviation. Officials have pledged to continue search efforts until all individuals on board are accounted for.