More than 40 Bodies Recovered in QZ8501 Search

More than 40 bodies have been retrieved from the Java Sea off the coast of Kalimantan where the AirAsia plane went down with 162 people on board on Sunday.

In the earlier reports today, Indonesian officials confirmed six bodies were found in Java Sea waters about 10 kilometers from Flight QZ8501’s last communications with air-traffic control.

The latest reports say that an Indonesian warship recovered more than 40 bodies from the sea in the search for debris and passengers from AirAsia Flight QZ8501, a navy spokesman told AFP.

“Based on the navy radio, it has been reported that the warship Bung Tomo has retrieved 40 bodies and the number is growing. They are very busy now,” Manahan Simorangkir said.

Following the reports of debris and bodies being spotted during an aerial search, AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes posted a message on his Twitter, saying: “My heart is filled with sadness for all the families involved in QZ 8501. On behalf of AirAsia my condolences to all. Words cannot express how sorry I am.”