AirAsia plane in bottom of sea: Indonesia search agency

BBC quoted search agency head Bambang Soelistyo told a media conference: "Based on the co-ordinates given to us and evaluation that the estimated crash position is in the sea, the hypothesis is the plane is at the bottom of the sea."

Soelistyo said that Indonesia did not have the tools required retrieving the plane from the seabed.

“Due to the lack of technology that we have, I have coordinated with our foreign minister so we will borrow from other countries which have offered. They are the UK, France and US,” he said.

Media reports attributing news agency AP said an Indonesian helicopter saw two oily spots in the search area Monday afternoon, while an Australian search plane spotted objects hundreds of miles away. However, nothing could be confirmed yet.

Meanwhile, AirAsia in a press statement said AirAsia Indonesia received confirmation from the National Search and Rescue Agency Republic of Indonesia (BASARNAS) that an international search and rescue mission from Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia had been mobilized in the search of flight QZ8501.

The mission in Surabaya resumed at 06.00 on Monday.

“AirAsia Indonesia continued to support these efforts and has been actively cooperating with the search and rescue authorities with its primary focus remaining on the families," a press statement said.

It also said that AirAsia Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Indonesia Sunu Widyatmoko is currently stationed at the family centre in
Surabaya.

“We have been keeping the families updated on the search and rescue efforts as well as provide emotional support. Another group of AirAsia officials are providing the same to the families based in Singapore,” the press communiqué said.

An emergency call centre was established and available for families seeking information. The number is +622129270811 or 031-8690855 or 031-2986790 (Surabaya).