TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:Indonesia’s Search and Rescue (SAR) chief Madya Daryatmo disclosed that a Russian helicopter has not been allowed to participate in the physical evacuation of victims from the Sukhoi Superjet 100 crash at site for safety reasons. Madya said air traffic was at its most congested at the time. “The air traffic is the issue. We have mobilized 14 helicopters in a single zone. It will endanger everyone if we don't manage this matter properly,” Daryatmo said on Sunday, May 13 at the Halim Perdanakusuma airport. Moreover, the Russians are also unfamiliar with the territory. He recalled how much time it took for the Indonesian S&R team to reach the crash site from Cijeruk. “It took days for us to reach the location,” Daryatmo reminded. "SAR knows no boundaries; it knows no race, nor faith. Safety is our priority. How can we let them take on the conditions they are not familiar with? This could endanger their lives,” he asked. He reasoned that there are steps the Russian team needed to first take. "For example they should have the health of their team members thoroughly checked and familiarize themselves with the conditions," said the bespectacled man, adding that the Russian team had no objection to the advice and that that the Indonesian team will coordinate the evacuation with them. “It's a collective loss for both sides.” Head of the Indonesian Red Cross, Jusuf Kalla, welcomed the cooperation between Indonesia and Russia in handling the Sukhoi accident, provided that Indonesia is the leader of the operation. “Russia can help but under the Basarnas (National SAR Agency)'s command,” Kalla said, but pointed out that Russia's participation should be in the national interest of Indonesia. The black box has to be examined in Indonesia, he said. "The accident occurred in Indonesia claiming Indonesian lives, therefore it is our jurisdiction to handle the case." However, he also understands Russia's interest in the case. "The certainly have their own national interests as well. It's their plane and they also want to know the truth,” Kalla said. Two Russian planes arrived on Friday carrying a Russian team consisting of 41 experts complete with equipment including a helicopter and a mountain jeep to investigate reasons behind the crash of the Sukhoi 100 at Mount Salak, Bogor. However Commander of the Atang Sanjaya airbase, First Marshall Tabri Santoso refused to allow the helicopter to fly to the site. ATMI PERTIWI