Surabaya, Indonesia - AirAsia Indonesia, the budget carrier headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia has updated its news and information on the AirAsia QZ 8501 crash search and recovery operations in a press release.
The AirAsia Indonesia website said, "AirAsia Indonesia wishes to update on the latest developments of the search and evacuation (SAR) operations of QZ 8501 led by The National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) Republic of Indonesia."
After the Indonesian military stopped its search and rescue operations a month after Dec. 28, the day of the AirAsia plane crash, the national wing BASAARNAS took over the recovery mission.
The primary search area for remains of bodies is Karimata Strait and Java Sea. However, bad weather has hampered search activities in the area. The SAR boats are docked in Central Borneo at the Kumai Port.
There has been no recovery of bodies from the Karimata Strait, Makassar Straight, or Java Sea on Monday SAR activities is ongoing in the Makassar Strait and search personnel are stationed on the West and South Sulawesi shoreline.
Meanwhile, the Disaster Victim Identification Police Department Republic of Indonesia (DVI POLRI) said it has identified five passengers evacuated from the Java Sea. They are Ernawati (female), Gusti Made Bobi Sidartha (male), Boby Hartanto Winata (male), Indah Diani (female), and Kevin Biantoro (male).
More remains recovered in Pinrang, South Sulawesi at Bhayangkara Hospital, Surabaya by the DVI POLRI . So far, 91 passengers were still being identified at Bhayangkara Hospital.
"AirAsia Indonesia would like to take this opportunity to urge the public seeking progress on the search and evacuation and identification process of QZ 8501 passengers to refer solely to official information from BASARNAS and DVI POLRI," AirAsia said in a statement.
"You may also obtain substantiated information only from authorized AirAsia social media accounts: Facebook (www.facebook.com/AirAsia) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/AirAsia)."
