Breaking: 40 Bodies From Missing AirAsia’s Flight QZ8501 Recovered From Java Sea

“Victims’” bodies have been found in an area where debris was spotted near Borneo, an official said. The Indonesian navy said more than 40 bodies had been recovered.
An Indonesian official has said it is “95% likely” the debris is from missing AirAsia Flight QZ8501. A search plane has spotted a “shadow” underwater, which is believed to be the fuselage of the missing jet.

Pictures of floating bodies were broadcast on television as relatives of the missing passengers from AirAsia Flight QZ8501 gathered at the crisis center at Juanda International Airport in Surabaya. Some screamed, some began to wail, some were just holding their heads in their hands, and one man collapsed and had to be taken out on a stretcher.

National Search and Rescue Director SB Supriyadi told reporters in the nearest town of Pangkalan Bun that several bodies had been recovered intact but swollen and brought to an Indonesian navy ship. The corpses were not wearing life jackets.

Search and rescue teams were lowered on ropes from a hovering helicopter to retrieve corpses found in the Java Sea near Borneo island. It has been reported that so far 6 bodies have been found of which 3 have been recovered.

Search operation head Bambang Soelistyo said he was 95% certain the objects shown were from the plane, adding that a shadow spotted under water appeared to be in the shape of a plane.

AirAsia’s CEO Tony Fernandes made the following statements via twitter: “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. I am rushing to Surabaya. Whatever we can do at Airasia we will be doing.”