Weather Expected to Support Eight Day of AirAsia QZ8501 Search

Jakarta (Antara Bali) -- Head of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) Vice Marshall FH Bambang Soelistyo said the weather is predicted to be better on the eight day of search, thus supporting the search and evacuation of the crashed Air Asia QZ8501.

"Tomorrow (Sunday, Jan 01) we hope the better weather, sea waves estimated 1.5-2 meters. It gives an opportunity to be able to work better than today (Saturday)," Soelistyo stated.

According to him, on the eight day of joint operation, the search of the Airbus 320-200 aircraft, the division sector of the search is still the same as before.

Earlier, the families of QZ8501 victims appreciated the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) for its efficiency in finding the flight`s wreckage and several bodies on the third day of search.

The aircraft, which took off at 5:36 a.m. local time from Surabaya and was scheduled to arrive in Singapore at around 8:30 a.m. local time, had gone missing with 155 passengers and seven crew members on board.

Basarnas Chief F. H. Bambang Sulistyo later confirmed that the aircraft had crashed and found its debris in Karimata Strait waters, Central Kalimantan Island, on Tuesday (Dec. 30).

After four days of search and rescue operations, a joint team led by Basarnas and involving several institutions, such as the Air Force, Navy, Police, and foreign ships, have discovered some debris, including an emergency exit door and eight bodies.

Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, the United States, China, India, South Korea, Japan, and Britain have lent assistance in searching for the missing plane and any investigation into the accident. (WDY)