Originally published on November 10, 2013
Thirteen people died after an Indonesian army helicopter crashed into the jungles of Borneo, near the border with Malaysia, on Saturday.
According to reports, the Russian-made Mi-17 aircraft was carrying seven crew members and 12 construction workers to build a military outpost in Malinau district.
The area near the Malaysian border is so remote it can only be reached by helicopter.
Military officials suspect the crash was caused both by bad weather and a problem with the back rotor blades.
According to AFP, the black rotor blades of the aircraft started spinning out of control, causing the helicopter to crash into a cliff and to catch fire immediately after.
The helicopter was completely burnt out following the accident.
Rescuers used ropes, climbing equipment and chainsaws to retrieve the bodies from the site.
According to reports, eight of those who died were civilian construction workers, while five others were crew members.
The rest of the passengers suffered burn injuries.
Borneo is a biodiverse island shared between Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei and covered in lush jungle.
According to AFP, "there have been numerous fatal air crashes over the years in Indonesia and some have involved military aircraft."
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