missing AirAsia plane, wreckage

Searchers and recovery personnel have found wreckage from the missing AirAsia plane, pulling debris and bodies from the ocean where the airliner went down. According to searchers some of the bodies were still strapped into the seats on the plane, showing that whatever happened occurred fairly quickly. Reports have detailed a request from the plane to change altitude due to the weather, but this request was denied because there was other air traffic in the area. Shortly after the request to change altitude was received the plane disappeared, leading to an extensive search in order to find out what happened to the aircraft. Relatives of those missing were tearful as they watched television footage of the bodies being removed from the ocean, and families may not get news until the bodies can be identified and autopsied.

According to a Navy spokesperson involved in removing wreckage from the missing AirAsia plane explained that the debris and bodies were being removed by helicopter for testing, saying “The challenge is waves up to three metres high.” Recovery efforts are expected to continue for some time and many families are still in limbo because their loved ones have not been recovered and identified yet. According to the airlines “a dedicated team of care providers will be assigned to each family to ensure that all of their needs are met.” The rest of the world is grieving along with the families, and many countries have offered to help Indonesia in their search and recovery efforts.