February 16, 2026 05:52 pm (IST)
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AirAsia QZ 8501: SAR team confirms recovery of aircraft tail
Surabaya, Jan 8 (IBNS): The National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) Republic of Indonesia on Thursday confirmed that the SAR team retrieved a visual confirmation of the tail part of ill-fated QZ 8501's aircraft.
The visual confirmation was made following underwater documentation of the aircraft’s tail and small wreckage, which showed the plane’s registration number (PK-AXC), captured by the SAR team’s sea divers.
The tail part was found in the additional focus search area (approx. 30 kms from the primary focus area).
The SAR operation is still underway as the weather is reported to be clear with good underwater visibility for the divers to continue observation.
Sunu Widyatmoko, Chief Executive Officer AirAsia Indonesia commented, “We would like to extend our appreciation to all authorities and personnel that has been involved in the SAR operation. Today is the eleventh day and the latest finding is indeed an breakthrough for all of us who have been anxiously waiting for further development on the SAR operation.”
Following the latest finding, BASARNAS confirmed that the later SAR operation will be focused in this area to see if there are any trapped remains that must be recovered as well as the continued search for the black box.
Earlier in the day, Indonesian Navy Commander of the KRI Bung Tomo-357, Lieutenant Colonel Ashari Alamsyah officially handed over the debris and passengers belongings of QZ 8501’s flight that were found in the search area to the Deputy Commander of Indonesian Naval Aviation Unit, Colonel Yuwono at SAR Operation center in Juanda International Airport.
As for the next phase, debris will be transferred to Indonesia’s National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) for further investigation.
On Thursday morning, BASARNAS also confirmed to have recovered one more body from the search area. The remain is still in Pangkalan Bun, waiting to be transported to Surabaya for further identification process.
Meanwhile, the Disaster Victim Identification Police Department Republic of Indonesia (DVI POLRI) has announced that they have identified 8 more remains of QZ 8501 passengers as: Ratri Sri Andriani (female),Rudy Soetjipto (male), Jou Christine Yuanita (female), Soetikno Sia (male), Ruth Natalia Made Puspita Sari (female), Nico Giovani (male), Indahju Liangsih (female), Stephanie Yulianto (female).
AirAsia Indonesia officially handed over the remains to the respective families at Bhayangkara Hospital, Surabaya this afternoon.
To date, BASARNAS confirmed to have recovered a total of 40 remains of which 24 remains have been identified by DVI POLRI and 16 remains are still being identified.
"Our thoughts and prayers remain with the families and friends of our passengers and colleagues on board QZ 8501," AirAsia siad in a statement.
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