Indonesia has the resources to conduct all subsequent efforts, and thanks Singapore for the help rendered in past 20 days: Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen.
SINGAPORE: After 20 days looking for bodies and wreckage following the crash of AirAsia Indonesia Flight QZ8501 in the Java Sea, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has ended its involvement in the search mission off Kalimantan, with its last vessel there now heading back to Singapore.
The search efforts will now be conducted entirely by Indonesia, in whose waters the plane lies.
"With the flight data and cockpit voice recorders recovered and the fuselage located, the BASARNAS (Indonesian search authority) Chief Bambang Soelistyo has informed other countries that Indonesia would have its own resources for subsequent efforts, and thanked us for all our help," wrote Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen in a Facebook post on Friday (Jan 16).
"After 20 days of this search mission, MV Swift Rescue, SAF’s last ship there, has left the Java Sea for home. This marks a formal end to SAF’s involvement in the search for the AirAsia plane and its passengers."
The MV Swift Rescue had on Wednesday located the fuselage of the main wreckage, with remotely-operated vehicles producing photographs showing the wing of the plane still attached to its body. Another craft involved in the 20 days was the RSS Persistence, which recovered one body.
Said Dr Ng: "I want to thank and commend all SAF servicemen and women for a job well done.
"The SAF and fellow Singaporeans would like to offer our deepest condolences to all families of the victims of this tragic accident. The final resting place of the plane has been found. May family members and loved ones of those departed find strength and comfort to recover from your great loss in the days ahead. Our prayers are with you in this time of grief."
Another ASEAN neighbour, Malaysia, ended its part in the search mission on Wednesday.
- CNA/es
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