Search for AirAsia Flight QZ8501 Continues

The search and rescue efforts for AirAsia flight QZ8501, led by Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS), today enters its ninth day.

The search operation area has been expanded to the east part of the Java Sea following the underwater current forecast.

More than 80 deep sea divers have been deployed in order to get a visual confirmation on two large objects – suspected to be part of the aircraft’s fuselage – captured by the sonar device on Saturday as well as the aircraft’s blackbox.

BASARNAS recovered four more remains on Sunday as well as debris such as the emergency exit window, luggage, passenger seats and survival kits, which are believed to be from the aircraft.

To date, BASARNAS has recovered 34 remains, of which nine remains have been identified by the Disaster Victim Identification Police Department of Republic of Indonesia (DVI POLRI) with 25 remains awaiting identification. As many as seven DVI experts from Singapore have also arrived today to support the identification process. A number of DVI experts from South Korea and Australia will also support DVI POLRI to identify the victims today.

SAR efforts will continue today (Monday) with waves forecast to be at 2 – 2.5 meters. The priority of the search is now on deep sea diving in the area where the aircraft body is said to be located. China will be assisting with the search for the blackbox.

Related news: Cockpit Voice Recorder of AirAsia QZ8501 Lifted from Sea, SAR Divers Recover Flight Data Recorder of AirAsia QZ8501, Tail of AirAsia QZ8501 Lifted from Java Sea, SAR Divers Find Tail of QZ8501, Search for AirAsia QZ8501 Continues, Russian SAR Team Joins AirAsia QZ8501 Search, Debris from AirAsia QZ8501 Found in Karimata Strait and AirAsia Flight Goes Missing Between Surabaya and Singapore.

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