RRI.CO.ID, Makassar - Authorities have begun collecting DNA samples from the families of victims of the ATR 42-500 plane crash in South Sulawesi, following the discovery of the first body at the crash site on Mount Bulusaraung. The Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) team from the South Sulawesi Police’s Medical and Health Division confirmed that samples are being taken to assist in the identification process.

As of January 19, three families have provided information and DNA samples: relatives of co-pilot M. Fahran Gunawan, flight attendant Florencia Lolita, and crew member Dwi Murdiono. Today, families of three other passengers - Deden Maulana, Ferry Irawan, and Yoga Naufal, all employees of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries - are scheduled to undergo antemortem tests.

"We are waiting for the families of the three passengers who are scheduled to come forward to provide statements and take samples," DVI officer Asnany of the South Sulawesi Police Medical Bureau said, Monday, January 19, 2026, as quoted by

On Sunday, January 18, 2026, joint SAR teams successfully recovered the first body from the crash site. The recovery was described as highly technical, as the victim was found on a vertical rock face with a nearly 90-degree incline on the peak of Mount Bulusaraung.

Commander of Regional Military Command XIV Hasanuddin, Major General Bangun Nawoko, confirmed that the victim was extracted using a specialized rope system by Basarnas Vertical Rescue teams. "One victim has been found. He was then evacuated, even though he was on a cliff at almost a 90-degree angle," he told reporters in Pangkep.

The body is being transported via the Tompobulu post in Balocci for initial identification before being moved to the Bhayangkara Hospital in Makassar.

The South Sulawesi Regional Police Medical Bureau has established a high-security receiving area for body bags and dedicated autopsy rooms. The facility is being guarded by a joint force of the Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Police (Polri) personnel to ensure the integrity of the identification process.

The DVI team continues to urge the immediate family members, specifically parents, children, or siblings, of the remaining passengers to come forward, as direct genetic matches are essential for a swift and accurate identification process. ***