Search teams find debris and bodies from AirAsia flight

Monday, 30 Dec, 2014 0

Officials have confirmed that debris and bodies found in the sea near Borneo are from the missing AirAsia Flight QZ8501.

Bambang Soelistyo, who is leading the search operation, told a press conference a shadow was seen under water which appeared to be in the shape of a plane.

The news conference, shown live on Indonesian TV and watched by relatives of missing passengers, also showed bodies floating on the water.

Soelistyo said all resources were now being sent to the area where the debris was found.

At least 30 ships, 15 aircraft and seven helicopters have joined the operation which resumed at 06:00 local time on Tuesday.

AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes said he was devastated and tweeted: "My heart is filled with sadness for all the families involved in QZ 8501. On behalf of AirAsia my condolences."

The Airbus A320-200, carrying 162 people from Surabaya in Indonesia to Singapore, disappeared on Sunday.

It was carrying 137 adult passengers, 17 children and one infant, plus two pilots and five crew.

Most of the passengers were Indonesian but also included a Malaysian, a Singaporean, three South Koreans and one UK national, confirmed to be Mr Choi Chi Man.

Bev

Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.

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