Rescue officials today confirmed the finding of aircraft debris. "Our helicopter team spotted a piece of the plane's window at 7h46 this morning. By 7h49, we found larger debris believed to be part of the fuselage," said Andi Sultan, an official with the South Sulawesi rescue agency in Indonesia.

He added that the aircraft's tail was later seen at the foot of Mount Bulusaraung in South Sulawesi. This mountain is located about 1.500 km northeast of Indonesia's capital, Jakarta.

Debris from the ATR 42-500 aircraft found on Mount Bulusaraung, South Sulawesi province on 18/1. *AP*

Rescue teams quickly moved to the debris sites, but Sultan stated that thick fog and mountainous terrain hindered the search for victims.

Muhammad Arif Anwar, head of the South Sulawesi rescue agency, announced today that they have deployed 1.200 personnel to search for passengers and crew. "Our priority is to find the victims," he said, expressing hope for survivors.

Rescue forces climbing to the aircraft debris site on Mount Bulusaraung, South Sulawesi province on 18/1. *AFP*

The ATR 42-500 passenger plane, operated by Indonesia Air Transport, took off from Yogyakarta bound for Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi province. It lost contact with air traffic control at noon on 17/1, carrying three passengers and 8 crew members.

Indonesia's Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries had leased the aircraft to conduct aerial fisheries surveillance. All three passengers were employees of the ministry.

The National Transportation Safety Committee of Indonesia will lead the investigation into the accident, Sultan confirmed. The cause of the plane crashing into the mountain, just 19 km from its intended landing strip, remains unknown.

Thanh Tam (According to Reuters, Jakarta Post)