Russian team returns to Mount Salak by air

A 10-member Russian SAR team is going down for a further evacuation of the ill-fated Sukhoi Superjet 100 airliner in Mount Salak from an air route on a Cano Friday morning.

"The Russian team will be escorted by six SAR team members from the Indonesian special forces (Kopasus) and marines," Suryakancana Regiment Commander Col AM Putranto said as SAR operational commander in Cijeruk, Bogor regency, said Friday.

Col Putranto said the Russian SAR team will be using his Cano. They will drop 10 members on Manik Peak. The Russian SAR team will be escorted by Indonesia, also involving a Super Puma helicopter.

He said the Russian wish to rejoin the evacuation operations had already been approved by the Basarnas (national SAR agency) chief. 

The Russian SAR team are going down to the peak of Mt Salak to evacuate the victims and retrieve the FDR which has not been recovered on the tenth day.

Prior to departure, members of the Russian and Indonesian SAR teams had to undergo physical examinations.

"The Russian team will be led by Lt Col Vivaly." the regiment commander said. The operations will be concluded on Friday afternoon following an evaluation of the results of the operations.

Source: ANTARA